180 



pupal stage lasting ten to twelve days. The adults commence to 



emerge by the middle of August and continue to do so until the 



middle of September. " Some of them leave the pupal cells, but 



most of them remain there 



for hibernation." Those 



which emerged disappeared 



and probably hibernated in 



some dense, coarse grass near 



by. Those which hibernated 



in the pupal cells emerged the 



next spring about the time 



that young corn was sprouting. 



The beetles are from two-fifths 



to three-fifths of an inch long, 



of a dull shining black color, 



and sculptured as shown in Fig. 



131. " The beetles are rarely 



observed on account of their 



FIG. 132. Larva of the maize bill- 

 bug twice natural size. (After 

 Kelly, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



FIG. 133. Corn plant showing the 

 result of attack of the maize bill- 

 bug: a, larval burrow containing 

 pupa in natural position reduced 

 two-thirds; b, egg-puncture con- 

 taining egg enlarged. (After 

 Kelly, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



quiet habits and because they are covered with mud a condition 

 which is more or less common among several species of this genus 

 and which is caused by a waxy exudation of the elytra to which the 

 soil adheres. The presence of the adults of this species in a corn- 

 field is made evident by the withering of the top leaves of very 



