NO. II LARVAE OF THE ELATERID BEETLES GLEN 4I 



13. Spiracles in eighth abdominal segment (sp, fig. 14, f) situated relatively 



much farther caudad than in seventh abdominal segment ; abdominal 



pleurites well developed sjaelandicus (Miiller) (p. 142) 



Spiracles in same relative position in all abdominal segments ; abdominal 



pleurites small and indistinct 14 



14. Spinelike setae present (usually 2 to 4) on episterna of mesothorax and 



metathorax ; urogomphi (fig. 14, g) as figured 



the cupreus group (p. 124) 



Without such spinelike setae; urogomphi (fig. 14, a, b) as figured... . 



appressus (Randall) (p. 135) 



15. Spiracles in eighth abdominal segment {sp, fig. 11, e) at least twice as 



long as spiracles in seventh abdominal segment 



the pyrrhos group (p. 147) 



Spiracles in seventh and eighth abdominal segments subequal in size 16 



16. Dorsum of ninth abdominal segment (fig. 11, /) with blunt "teeth" 



{to) on lateral aspects, and with median groove {mg) ; eyes 



present resplendens aerarius (Randall) (p. 136) 



Dorsum of ninth abdominal segment (fig. 11, h) with sharp "teeth" 



{to) laterally, and without median groove ; eyes absent 



the limoniiformis group (p. 150) 



THE LUDIUS AERIPENNIS GROUP 

 Figures 1-7, 9, /;, j ; 10, d; 13, d, i; 14, c; 15 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. From North America 2 



From Europe or Asia 4 



2. With 4 setae on central dorsal area of ninth abdominal segment (fig. 15, 



a) pruininus (Horn) (p. 45) 



Without such setae (fig. 7, a) 3 



3. Western North America aeripennis (Kirby) (p. 42) 



Eastern North America appropinquans (Randall) (?) (p. 44) 



4. With 2 setae on central dorsal area of ninth abdominal segment (fig. 15, 



/) latus (Fabricius) (p. 48) 



Without such setae aeneus (Linnaeus) (p. 46) 



Larvae of this group are known for the five species listed in the key 

 above. With the exception of appropinquans, which was collected 

 from leaf litter, all are soil inhabiting, preferring well-drained soils, 

 and are extremely important pests, especially of grain crops. The 

 larval life lasts for at least 3 years. Pupation occurs normally in 

 July or early August. The adults are fully formed within 2 to 4 

 weeks after pupation occurs, but they usually remain in their pupal 

 chambers until the following spring. 



This group belongs to that larger association of Ludiits that com- 

 bine a large caudal notch and a divided prosternum. Closely related 

 species are found in the inflafiis group, but separation is readily 



