WIREWOKMS. Ill 



may pass the winter in this state, and the beetles develop 

 from the chrysalis in the following spring. 



Of the many kinds that are to be found of these beetles, 

 only fom- are noticed as being particularly hurtful to crops. 

 These were formerly all known scientifically as different 

 species of Elater. E. sjnitator, fig. 5 (and 6, magnified), p. 110, 

 is the smallest. It has the head, and part of the body behind 

 it, black ; legs rufous ; and the wing-cases dusky. 



E. ohscurus (fig. 3, magnified) is larger and pitchy, covered 

 with ochreous down or hairs, so that perfect specimens appear 

 dull brown all over, and rubbed ones blackish. It has black 

 thighs, and the shanks and feet rusty. 



E. lineatm (fig. 2, magnified) is very like the preceding, but 

 greyer ; it has the wing-cases striped, and the legs rusty red. 

 The Wireworm of this species is often found in dung and 

 vegetable earth. 



These three kinds are now generally known as Agriotes, 

 instead of Elater. 



The fourth species, now known as Athoiis, has its special 

 name of ruficaudis, from the red colour of the abdomen and 

 tail ; this is larger than the others. 



These four kinds of Click Beetle are, however, alike in all 

 important points in their manner of life. 



Elater (Agriotes) obscurus, nat. size and magnified. 



The reader is particularly requested to notice the figure and 

 description of these grubs or larva?, that is, of the " true 

 Wireworm,'" that he may distinguish it from the grubs of 

 other insects which are not altogether unlike it, and from 

 insect allies which pass under the name of false Wireivorms. 



The Wireworm has six true legs ; this distinguishes it from 

 the grubs of the Daddy Long-legs, or Crane Fly (Leather 

 Jackets), which have none. Also, the Wireworm has only six 

 legs (besides the sucker-foot at the end of the tail) ; this dis- 

 tinguishes it from the Millipedes, which have many, excepting 

 when first hatched. 



Prevention and Eemedies. — Broken-up pasture land and 

 Clover-leys often swarm with these most destructive grubs, 

 and it is from this infested ground that the most serious 

 damage arises. 



