116 



The legs differ from those of the preceding family in being without 

 trochanters. 



The larvae are elongated, cylindrical worms, the size being nearly 

 uniform throughout the entire length, and the indentations between 

 the segments very shallow. 



They are generally known as "wire- worms," a name probably given 

 them on account of the long, slender, cylindrical shape of the more 

 common species, and the tough, leathery texture of their bodies. A 

 large portion of them reside in the ground, where they feed upon 

 the roots of plants of various kinds, such as the grasses, corn, wheat, 

 turnips, etc., in fact there is scarcely a product of the farm or the gar- 

 den which is exempt from their ravages ; others are found under loose 

 bark and in decaying logs, stumps, etc., feeding upon the putrid wood 

 or the minute roots that penetrate it. 



The last segment of the body varies considerably in the different 

 species ; in some it is conical and simply rounded at the tip ; in others 

 it tapers to a sharp point ; in some it ends in two spines, sometimes 

 with little teeth on the sides, and sometimes without them. They 

 are of a yellowish-white color, many species being more or less shaded 

 with brown ; they have six small legs, situated on the three front seg- 

 ments, the last segment has on its under side near the base a retrac- 

 tile pro-leg, which appears to contain the terminal orifice of the 

 alimentary canal. The length of time they remain in the larval state 

 has not been satisfactorily ascertained, being variously stated at from 

 two to five years; it is probable that our most common species 

 attain their growth in three years at most, and some of them even in 

 two. As the beetles are found not only in the spring and summer, 

 but passing the winter under bark, in the crevices of trees, and other 

 sheltered situations, it is probable that some are transformed in the 

 fall, thus ending the term of larval life in less than three years. 



As the number of species belonging to this family is large and 

 very few have been traced through their transformations, I will de- 

 scribe a few of the most common and then mention the remedial 

 agencies which have been recommended, and add such suggestions as 

 I have to make in reference to the best method of getting rid of 

 them. 



Alaus oculatus — Linn. 



This is a large black species measuring from one inch and a quar- 

 ter to one inch and a half in length, having on each side of the 

 thorax a large black eye-like spot, surrounded with a white line. 



The larva of this species is a long, slender, smooth, sub-cylindrical 

 worm, varying but little in diameter throughout its length. When 

 fully grown it usually exceeds two inches in length. Its general color 

 is a creamy yellow, with a reddish or brownish tinge in some parts ; 

 the head and upper side of one or more of the front segments dark- 

 brown ; the last segment black, having a semi-circular notch at the 

 end, furnished internally with little saw-like teeth; six short legs 

 on the first three segments. 



