348 MANUAL OF VEGETABLE-GARDEN INSECTS 



six years. The wireworms 

 They are then from |^ to H 



Fig. 218. — A potato infested 

 with wheat wdreworms. 



reach maturity early in July, 

 inches in length, depending on 

 the species. They transform to 

 delicate whitish pupse in earthen 

 cells within six inches of the 

 surface of the ground. Trans- 

 formation to the beetle takes 

 place in three weeks to a month, 

 the beetles remaining within 

 the earthen cell until the follow- 

 ing spring. There are many 

 species of wireworms that may 

 attack vegetables but only the 

 most important can be treated 

 here. 



The wheat wireworm, Agriotes 

 mancus Say, is about an inch in length when full-grown, pale 

 yellow in color, cylindrical in form and may be recognized by 

 the two dark spots at the base of the 

 last segment of the body. This species 

 feeds normally on the roots of grasses 

 but when the sod is broken up will 

 seriously injure corn, 

 wheat, potato, car- 

 rot, turnip, bean, 

 cucumber and cab- 

 bage. Injured po- 

 tatoes are shown in 

 Figs. 218 to 220. 



The adult of the wheat wireworm is 



about ^ inch in length, dull reddish brown, 



Fig. 220. — The same darker on the head and thorax. The 



rr r r^:: beetles are to be found in the field from 



made by wireworms. April to Juue. The female enters the 



I 



Fig. 219. — Potato injured 

 bv the wheat wireworm. 



