146 



ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY 



a characteristic shield shape. The larvae are known as wire-worms 



and are among the worst pests of corn and small grains. Some 



wire-worms live under bark and in 

 decaying wood, the adult of one of 

 these being the common eyed elater 

 (Alaus oculatus), a large species an 

 inch and a half long, blackish, flecked 

 with gray, with two large, velvet-black, 

 white-rimmed eyespots on the thorax, 

 which give it a very wise appearance. 

 The metallic wood-borers (Bupres- 

 tidae) have much the same general 

 shape as the click-beetles, but the 

 tips of the elytra are more pointed, 

 the beetles are 

 unable to spring, 

 and their colors 

 are metallic. The 

 adults are medi- 

 um-sized beetles, 

 often found on 

 flowers or bark, 



and do no harm as adults. The larvae are 



flat, whitish grubs with small, brown heads 



FIG. 206. The eyed elater (Alain 



oculatus.} (Slightly enlarged) 



(After Linville and Kelly) 



FIG. 207. a, beetle of wheat wire-worm (Agriotes mancus}\ b, beetle of Drasteriu. 

 elegans ; c, larva of same. (Much enlarged) 



(After Forbes) 



