160 



COLEOPTERA OE BEETLES. 



the larva or pupa will be found in a cavity inside the seed. 

 The beetle hatches some days before it makes its exit, which it 

 does through the round depression just referred to. A distinct 

 hole is then seen in the seed, from which the beetle has escaped. 



Such infested seed germinates, 

 but does not produce a healthy 

 plant. Often the seed is sown 

 before the Bruchi have hatched, 

 and thus they will be in a good 

 position to continue their attack 

 upon the crop again. Infested 

 seed should never be purchased ; 

 but if it is, it should be sub- 

 jected to either of the following 

 methods of treatment — namely, 

 fumigation by bisulphide of 

 carbon or soaking in carbolic 

 water. The infested seeds may 

 be placed in a closed box and a 

 saucer of the carbon bisulphide placed on them and left for a 

 few hours : the fumes pass down and penetrate the seeds, 

 killing not only larvae, but pupee and adults also. Many kinds 

 of Bruchidse attack pulse of all kinds. 



The Pentamera form the largest division of beetles, and 

 include a great number of destructive species. The most 

 important family of them economically is that of the 



Fk!. 77. — Bean Beetle (Bntchiis 

 rufimawus). 



1, Infested bean ; 2 and 3, beetle, nat. 

 size, and magnified. (Whitehead.) 



Click-beetles (Elaterid^e). 



The Elaters are commonly called Click-beetles or Skip-jacks, 

 on account of their peculiar skipping movements, and the curious 

 sharp clicking noise they produce. They are the parents of the 

 dreaded Wireworm, by far the most obnoxious farm and garden 

 pest. The elaters have an elongated body. There is a spine 



