INSECTS INFESTING CORN. 



291 



worm, natural size. All of these are natives of the Eastern 

 continent. 



This is the larva of a beetle known as the " snapping beetle," 

 "skipjack,'" etc. (Fig. 282, 2, 3, 5, and 6). They derive this 

 name from the method they adopt to attain an ujjright posture 

 when they happen to fall upon their backs. Being unable to 

 turn over, they make a sudden jerk or spring, accompanied by 

 a clicking noise ; hence the name. 



The larva (Fig. 282, 7, 8, and 9,) has six legs, two beneath 

 each of the three first segments, and a tubercle under the last 

 segment of the abdomen, which it uses as a pro-leg. 



It is an undecided question among naturalists as to the 

 length of time these insects remain in the larva state ; some 

 say two years ; others, as high as five ; however, it is generally 

 conceded to be about three years, which, like many other 

 beetles of long larval lives, have an opportunity of doing 

 immense injury to crops, etc. 



Fig. 283. — Wire-worm— color, Fig. 283. 



yellowish-brown. -rff^ffl^Pf^^^^^^^rr-^ 



Mr. Curtis writes : "Wherever ^^^^~^^ 

 grasses will grow, the wire-worm (Fig. 283) may be found." 

 Dr. Fitch writes : " They abound alike on the roots of the 

 coarsest sedges, and on other wild grasses, on the borders of 

 marshes and on those of the most delicate pasture." They do 

 great damage to crops, especially corn, but can be found feed- 

 ing upon the roots of barley, cabbage, wheat, rye, potatoes, 

 asparagus, carrots, oats, etc., of the field, and dahlias, pinks, 

 carnations, etc., of the garden. A great many remedies have 

 been published for destroying those pests, but are generally 

 inapplicable to field crops. 



Fig. 284. — Milli- 

 pedes or Thousand- 

 legged Worms — color, 

 brownish or yellowish. 



Note. — The milli- 

 pedes, centipedes, or 

 thousand-legged 

 worms (Fig. 284), are 

 sometimes mistaken 



Fig. 284. 



