750 



FAMILY XXX VI r. E LA TERID.12. 



^*"**^ 



rig 2S(i X 4 (After Foil.es.) 



*1414 (4328). Melanotus communis Gyll., Scbou. Syu. Ins., Ill, 1S17, 138. 



Resembles flssUis but more slender 

 and paler brown in color. Tborax not 

 wider than elytra, not longer than wide 

 and witb a distinct median impressed line 

 on basal balf ; disk less densely and more 

 linely punctured tban in flssills or decn- 

 iinnitis. Lengtb 11.5-14 mm. (Fig. 2SG.) 

 The most abundant click beetle in 

 Ihe State. Hibernates in the same 

 places as fissllis and often occurs in 

 •ompany with that species. January 

 ] -J -December 25. Both this species 

 and fissiJis are attracted by electric 

 ]ip,ht in jMay and June. Their larvie 

 are among the most injurious wire- 

 wcrms preying upon corn. The larval 

 stage extends over three or four years 



and the chaiiee to a ])upa takes place in. July or August. From 



these pup.e the hibernating beetles begin to emerge in about one 



month. 



*14 5 {4:V22). Melanotus fissilis Say, Trans. Amer. Pbil. Soc. VI. 1S30. 

 183; ibid. II. G21. 

 Elongate, ratber robust. Dark smoky 

 lirown or piceous, sparsely pubc'.'-L-ent. Tbird 

 joint of anteunie m :re tbiui twice tbe 

 lengtb of second, one-tbird sborter tban 

 fourtb. Tborax sligbtly wider tban long, 

 widest at middle, sides rounded ; basal fis- 

 sures very distinct ; surface coarsely punc- 

 tured, more densely on sides. Elytra grad- 

 ually attenuate from base to apex, striic 

 witb crenate punctures; intervals flat, 

 sparsely and finely punctulate and trans- 

 versely wrinkled. Lengtb 13-17 nun. (Fig. 

 287.) 



Throughout the State, common; 

 more so in the southern counties. 

 January 5-November 23. Hibernates 

 ben(\nth locse liark, mullein leaves and 

 rulobish and in cracks of logs in dry 

 localities; usually three to a dozen or 

 more close together. The females are 

 much larger and have the disk of thorax moi'e coarsely and densely 

 punctate than the males. 



Fig. 287. 



X 4. (After Forbes.) 



