138 



The technique employed in obtaining and preserving the eggs is 

 described. In England and probably also in Wales and Scotland 

 Agriotes ohscurus is apparently the most common species. The 

 adult beetles appear to remain in the soil during the winter and 

 emerge in the spring about the middle of May, o\dposition occurring 

 from the end of June to middle of July. Their food chiefly consists 

 of the nectar of flowers. The eggs of A. lineatus, A. obsciirus, A. spu- 

 iator and Athous haemorrhoidalis are laid in the soil at depths varying 

 from I of an inch to 2 inches, either in batches in which as many 

 as 52 have been found, or singly. The actual emaronmental conditions 

 necessary for oviposition are not known, but it is evident that the 

 presence of grasses whether cultivated or growing as weeds is an 

 essential factor. 



The emerging larvae at once burrow into the soil. The first moult 

 of A. obscuras takes place in June, the second in July or August, 

 and the next in the following April or May. It is thought that the 

 larvae in general moult tAnce a year, in April and May and again 

 between July and September. They feed on almost any crop and 

 on many weeds. Mustard is ajjparently only attacked in the absence 

 of other suitable food, but they will leave cereals to feed on charlock. 

 Other foods include beans, potatoes and tomatos. Wheat does not 

 apparently sufl'er as much from attacks by wireworms in England 

 as in America, which may probably be accounted for by the time 

 of sowing the seed, which enables it to develop before any serious 

 damage occurs. The larvae can subsist for a long time on the decajdng 

 vegetable matter contained in the soil. In many cases a state of 

 hibernation occurs deep in the soil, though other larvae remain in 

 the sod near the surface feeding on the roots. 



Pupation takes place in the ground within a cell prepared by the 

 larva usually near the soil surface. The pupal stage extends over 

 a. period of about 3 weeks, the insects being found in this stage from 

 the end of July to the middle of September. 



Wireworms do not appear to be attacked by internal parasites 

 to any great extent, but a Proctotrupid, Phaenoserphus sp. probably 

 P. fuscipes, Hal., was bred in July from larvae of Athous haemo- 

 rrhoidalis and larval parasites of the same family have been found 

 in A. obsciirus. Wireworms are also infested by a fungus of the 

 genus Isaria. 



Speyf.r (E. R.). a Contribution to the Life History of the Larch 



Chermes {Cnaphalodes strobilobins, Kalt.). — Ann. App. Biol., 

 Ca/i(bndge, vi, no. 2-3, December 1919, pp. 171-182, 2 plates, Ifig. 



The life-cycle of Chermes (Cnaphalodes) strobihbius, Kalt., as 

 occurring on spruce and larch in Britain, is described in detail. The 

 author largely confirms the observations made by Steven, whose work is 

 extensively quoted [R.A.E.,A, vi,15-l]. In discussing remedial measures 

 it is pointed out that spra}'ing may prove a successful method of control, 

 pro^aded that it is directed against the sexual generation, which 

 apparently oAdposits only on the underside of branches and possibly 

 only on the lower branches. The habits and structure of this 

 generation require fuither study, and the presence or absence of the 

 gaUicola non-migrans in England has yet to be decided. 



