SAW-HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 97 



They are distinguished from the allied Buprestidfe, not only by this 

 saltatory power, but also by the posterior angles of the thorax being 

 prolonged backwards to a point, so as to TFig. 44.] 



embrace the base of the elytra, and by the ^i^^^^SS^^^^j^^ 

 bases of the thorax and of the elytra slop- '"'^ -r 



•^ '■ Lakva of Elater. 



ing downwards towards each other, which, in addition to a slight sepa- 

 ration between them, permits the freedom of motion which these parts 

 have upon each other. The thighs moreover are almost or entirely des- 

 titute of the accessory joint at their base called the trochautin. The 

 elaters are also readily distinguished by their usually dull brown colors, 

 very rarely changing to black or red, and by their surftice being almost 

 always clothed with a flue pubescence. 



The larvae are elongate, slender, of the same width throughout and of 

 a hard and almost horny consistency, and furuished with short legs. 

 The last segment is sometimes forked at the extremity, sometimes 3- 

 toothed, and sometimes entire. They bear a strong resemblance to the 

 meal-worms or larvie of Tenebrio, but differ in the structure of their 

 mouths. 



These larva3 go by the common name of wire-worms. With respect 

 to their food they may be divided into two classes : those which live in 

 rotten wood, being frequently found under the bark of decayed stumps 

 and jn-ostrate logs, and sometimes, but rarely, penetrating into solid 

 wood* ; and those which feed upon the roots of grasses and of other 

 plants. The natural food of the larvee of the latter division appears to 

 be the roots of grasses, both wild and cultivated, but from these they 

 spread to the roots of almost all kinds of cultivated plants, including 

 Indian corn and the small grains, and various kinds of garden vegeta- 

 bles. In some localities they rank amongst injurious insects of a very 

 serious character. 



The Elateridae constitute one of the most extensive, and one of the 

 most natural families of Coleoptera, but their division into minor groups 

 is very difficult, on account of the great numbers and the strong general 

 resemblance of the species. In treating upon this subject, Lacordaire 

 makes the following remark: "The classification of this family presents 

 extreme, and perhaps insurmountable difficulties. If we examine the 

 works of the most recent authors, Germar and Erichson, we shall see 

 that both of them despair of the classification of these insects. The 

 latter, indeed, has expressed the wish that some new characters may yet 



* Mr. C. V. Eiley has shown me a specimen of Ilcmirhipis facicularis. Fab., distinguished for its 

 beautifully pectinated antenn;e, which was reared by him from a larva which he found boring throu;;h 

 the heart wood of the Pecan Hickory, thus proving that gome of the Elateridic are genuine wood-liorers 

 and corroborating the propriety of placing them in the same tribe with the wood-boring Buprestidie. 

 [Since the above was written, Mr. Riley informs me that he strongly suspects that the Hemirhipia 

 larva was preying on that of Clytus pictus which was boring the same tree, and not feeding on the 

 ■wood itself.) 



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