INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAINS AND GRASSES. 51 



the fall, the most of the brood remaining in the pnpal 

 cells as partially hardened beetles until the following 

 spring. 



Means of Comldting. — Eemedies galore have been 

 advised for these insects, almost every farmer having his 



Fig. 21.^ a, last segment of Melnnotus communis, dorsal view. 

 (After Forbes.) B, the Wheat Vvlreworm. Agriotes 7n(incu8. 

 a, b, c, d, details of month-parts, enlarge. I. (After Slinger- 

 land.) 



favorite expedient, but in recent years a careftil testing has 

 shown that a satisfactory remedy or preventive for wire- 

 worms is vet to be discovered. Professors Comstock and 



Fig. 28. — C, caudal segment of the Wireworm of Drasterius elegnns 

 D, caudal segment of the Wireworm of Asaphes decoloraiu^, 

 much enlarged. (After Forbes.) 



Slingerland performed extensive experiments for nearly 

 three years in attempting to sttccessfnlly combat these 

 insects by (1) the protec^tion of the seed, and (2) the 

 destruction of the larvse by {a) starvation in clear fallow 



