14 DEPARTMENT BULLETIN 1267, U. 8S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
These experiments showed, however, that the larve during their 
growth pass through two molts. There is, of course, a third molt 
at the close of the prepupa state. This result is in harmony with 
those obtained by a number of other workers in Coleoptera. 
Immediately after hatching, the head shield of the young larva is 
distinctly wider than the trunk (fig. 3); at this time it is quite soft 
and pure white. It hardens, however, within a day or two and 
assumes the normal red color. It then ceases to grow, but the trunk 
continues to expand and in time exceeds the head in thickness. Then 
when the larva has attained considerable size it undergoes its 
first molt. In the process the skin of the trunk splits lengthwise 
on the dorsal side, while the head shield becomes detached from it 
and is forced off the head in front. ‘The new head shield is soft 
and pure white at first; it expands rapidly after the molt and in 
a short time hardens, assumes the characteristic red color, and again 
exceeds the body in width. Succeeding molts are accomplished in 
the same manner. 
The larvee were frequently observed to devour the exuvium shortly 
after the molt had been completed. 
Table 1 gives data on molting experiments at Charlottesville, Va. 
TABLE 1.—WMolting records of Huetheola rugiceps, Charlottesville, Va., 1915 
Emer- 
: een a First Second | Third | gence 
Serial No. Larva hatched Tals molt molt 3: 
adult 
DG ea oe A a ae er oes Al ed ek Bae 1 Sept. 19} Nov. 4 |_---_---s- 
aL, ng Ris Jae ass aN: Aug. Tiss: aiepees Sept. 15 | Oct. 14 | Nov. 21| Jan. 6 
| eee Ae ASS BE ta GON SS Ba eo ke eS oa Sept. 14} Oct. 12 | Nov. 30 | Jan. 18 
NC (ee eee ene FUNC ISR UE Ns ec ae SANT 4270 (2) teen Sept, 204) -Se-cake Sale Be 
i Gs Yael ON ae tithe MRE ns yaaa fi ite Sia he kyla Sep GS LG weet sae eeee eee 
Mies) ee Bee Ee NW See eee ae eee ee SO pis ln(?) Saeeeeaes Sept. 18a\"Ochs 185 tess 
VA rs ie a ae 21 | Oct. 20 jeDeec. 10 | Jan. 18 
WIG. SEE Re ae ee Ce eae oe episod 7.2 Ss eee ee 
Wil7ibac a A a i \aug. 14_---------- isept: a 
WG on ee ks een a eee ae Ge ee Pa Cor 20 Eee eee ene aes 
Vege auspice ieltae Baten ea. \sept 25 ----------- hae ari aA eae 
MAG 7 ee i ee SE ia I Oct. 19 Re 5a5s 388" Seeitls 
Gy fi Se sae ng LOM RR ein ei ee Oct. 14 ov. 13 | Jan. 29 ar. 
ND ee Me ay sa Sept. 14-_-____-_- Ochs, 1th do-sdlleeeeaaee 
O67 6 eeoe ee Sia ney MUM an RN ns laa OCt.:) Va Picot soe eee ee 
WA eee oa, oes oe | Re eee SOD tape Nov. 3)\| shoe el ee 
WTO a Ss Se a hee ee Cte WSs. 8s LS eee 
Wieliwitis. SAV Lip, Slee Se \Sept. 14__-_--.---. (out 91/1; 134 Selene 
h'47() ne ae ee eee eee een eile | ee ere Sa eee ee Nov. 19 | Jan. 27 
HABITAT 
The experience of the writers in Virginia indicates beyond much 
doubt that the normal habitat of all stages of Hwetheola rugiceps 
consists of open grasslands on low or poorly drained areas of rela- 
tively heavy, dark-colored soils. The conditions prevailing in the 
habitat were most fully investigated in the vicinity of Tappahan- 
nock, but visits to other points in the State, from which the species 
has been recorded, show that essentially similar conditions charac- 
terize the habitat in all the localities examined. 
Similar conditions have also been reported by other writers. Thus 
Howard (7, p. 72) quotes a correspondent who wrote from Canton, 
Miss., that this insect was the worst corn pest on heavy, wet land he 
had ever experienced. Webster (14, p. 159) states that in Tensas 
