COLEOPTERA 



115 



ing and with two large, velvety, eye-like spots on the 

 pro-thorax. Some shin'ng black species rival this in size 

 and are frequently seen. 



Larvse of click-beetles are slender, cylindrical, hard- 

 bodied and waxy yellow in color. 

 They are called wire-worms and 

 live in the soil and in decaying 

 wood. Some species injure the 

 roots of plants and destroy sprout- 

 ing seeds. 



71. The Metallic Wood-Borers 

 (Buprestidce) , also have a very hard 

 body covering. They are generally 

 heavier-bodied than the click- 

 beetles, although some forms are 

 very slender, and have the pro- 

 thorax slightly narrower than the 

 base of the wing-covers. The adults 

 are sometimes found on flowers FIG. 81. -The "Eyed Elater" 



and on the sunny side of tree- 

 trunks. Larvse of Buprestids are 

 wood-borers and are called, on 

 account of the fact that the tho- 

 racic segments are very broad while 

 the rest of the body is slender 

 and cylindrical, Flat-headed borers. 

 This designation separates them 

 from other beetle larvae which bore 

 in wood. Some important orchard 

 and forest-tree insects belong 

 here. Among these may be men- 

 tioned the Flat-headed Borer and the Red-necked Cane- 

 borer. (See page 294, Part II.) 



(A laus oculatus) . (After 

 W.E.Rumsey.) Reduced 

 one-half. 



FIG. 82. Flat-headed 

 Wood-borers, Larva3 

 of Buprestidce. 



