70 WIREWORMS. 
concentrate on the comparatively few plants of corn, potatoes, or 
smal] grain. 
Wireworms are the larval stage of various species of beetles 
belonging to the family Elateridae. The latter are popularly 
known as “click beetles,” “jumping jacks,” or “jack snappers,” on 
account of their peculiar habit of springing into the air with a 
clicking sound when placed upon their backs. 
=— era ns While we have found no records 
showing that the life history of any of 
our Minnesota species has been com- 
pletely worked out, the following gen- 
eral statement will apply to practically 
all that are of economic importance. It 
is believed that the eggs of our com- 
mon species are laid in the soil in the 
‘samey Spring by the beetless soon after they 
emerge from hibernation. The larvae 
remain in the soil at least two years. 
In this fact may be found the explana- 
_o tion of the greater damage done to 
y corn the second year after sod. The 
: ph . 
Hig. 11. A‘comion elick beste, Me. gtass roots are: not all ialled(thegums: 
lanotus communis. After Forbee. year so that the wireworms are not 
forced to concentrate upon the corn as they do the following sea- 
son. When full-grown, the wireworms are about one inch long, 
slender, and of equal diameter throughout their length, distinctly 
segmented, yellowish or brownish in color. They have three pairs 
of legs and an additional foot or prop on the last segment. This 
last segment is of peculiar form, being lobed, toothed or notched, 
according to the species, and is of use in separating the different 
species. Their hard, smooth, cylindrical bodies and the vigor with 
which they bend and wriggle when held in the fingers probably 
accounts for the name “wireworms.” From midsummer onward 
the full-grown larvae form cells in the soil where they pupate. 
After about one month passed in the pupal stage, they transform to 
beetles, the majority of which remain in their earthen cells until 
the following spring. The adults of our injurious insects are about 
one-half inch in length, elongate-oval in form, brown in color, and 
readily distinguishable by the springing habit previously men- 
tioned. The body is loosely jointed between the prothorax and 
mesothorax. When placed on its back, the beetle straightens its 
