246 



THE BOOK OF CORN 



channels directly through the underground part of the 

 stalk. They are common in corn on ground which has 

 been in grass for several years. Usually they are 

 much more likely to do serious damage the second 

 year after the breaking up of the sod. They should be 

 looked after on such lands whenever the seed fails to 

 grow, or when the sudden withering of the plant sug- 

 gests injury to it underground. Under such circum- 



Flg 60— Parent of Wireworm 

 (After Forbes) 



stances practically all the wireworms in the field will 

 be found in the hills. It is not unusual to find ten or a 

 dozen in each hill. 



The corn wireworms have a strong family resem- 

 blance and are not likely to be confused with other 

 insects. They vary in length when full grown from 

 half an inch to an inch and a quarter, but agree in their 

 hard, crust-like surface, nearly destitute of hairs; their 

 brownish color, varying from yellowish to reddish; 



