GENERIC SYNOPSIS OF WIREWORMS. 
It is not surprising, in view of the slight differences which separate 
ome of the larger groups of Elateride, that their larve should fail to 
fall naturally into the same grouping; and it is probable that a fuller 
: knowledge of larval characters will show that the natural relationships 
of several genera are different from those now accepted. he larvae of 
Elateride do not all have the same habitus. Those of the Hucneminz 
- so far as known resemble larvee of Buprestidee. Melanactes is also quite 
unlike a wireworm, and the Cebrionini, as represented by Cebrio, have 
peculiarities which distinguish them from typical wireworms. Exelud- 
ing these forms, the Illinois genera whose larval history is known may 
5 Phe grouped as follows: 
a The genera related to Alaus, and also some of the Elaterini, possess 
a pair of curved hooks, one each ‘side of the anal proleg, called the scan- 
Se cori hooks, which are absent in the other Hlaterini; and the last seg- 
y. ment usually bears two backward prolongations, or cercr. In Elater and 
related genera, also in Agriotes, the last segment is more or less round- 
- ed-conical and pointed, without cerci. In Melanotus it is flattened above 
and pointed. In the remaining Corymbitini, except Melanactes, the 
- cerci are well developed. The following table can only be regarded as 
_ provisional until a greater number of species are studied. 
3 ‘Seansorial hooks present. 
? Cerci present. 
se Anal proleg denticulate each side. 
a Muscular impressions* conspicuous on thorax and abdomen, 
BY | PALO OU UG AICI, caarinc ss jot asa fat ence Chalcolepidius. 
Muscular impressions obsolete on thorax, narrow and curved 
. CMM A MEG n Nines act aca cyact ofa ie ciee eS owes koe soaed Alaus. 
Anal proleg unarmed except with the scansorial hooks. 
Abdominal muscular impressions obovate, last segment bear- 
ing minute setigerous tubercles above........Agrypnus. 
aoe Abdominal muscular impressions linear, last segment ru- 
$ gose above, without setigerous tubercles, apical notch 
TIGL eit Sy oe SOP ad Nyt en Re a ane” a ee ae Drasterws. 
’ No cerci, larva long and moniliform............ Cardiophorus. 
Scansorial hooks absent. 
No cerci. « f 
in No black pits at base of last segment. 
: Muscular impressions linear, indistinct, not striate, last.seg- 
ment conic, terminated by an acute point...... Dolopius. 
Muscular impressions distinct, sharply striate. 
Last segment ovate-conic. 
Smooth, tip of last segment rounded............. Inudius. 
Punctate, tip of last segment with an acute point. .Hlater. 
Last segment flattened, and with a subdentate margin api- 
Gel aol een ee * Ras aie sche veeseeteveseees. .Melanotus. 
* Small, striated areas, a pair to each segment,- above the spiracles, near the 
anterior margin, usually oblong in shape, and each marked with equal, parallel ridges 
sono grooves, extending in the ‘direction of the long axis of the segment. 
