OF THE FAEM AKD GARDEN* 



81 



to use an abundance of seed, so that a good stand may 

 be left after they have done their mischievous work. 



The term Wire-worm, like that of Cut-worm, is some- 

 times applied rather indefinitely; the name properly be- 

 longs to tiie long and slender larvse of several species of 

 Elater, popularly known as Spring "and as ^'Click- 

 beetles." A very large blackish beetle, nearly two inches 

 long, with two large round black spots on its thorax 

 which are mistaken for eyes, is often found on fences, 

 sides of buildings, etc., in summer. This, when laid 

 upon its back, will by a sudden spring throw itself into 

 the air to the height of several inches, and usually come 

 down right side up. This, the most conspicuous of tliese 

 beetles, is not injurious, but there are several others, 

 much smaller, but with the same power of springiiig, the 



some live only in decayed wood, and are not injurious, 

 while others live in the soil, and do great damage 

 to several crops. Figure 51 gives the general appear- 

 ance of the larva, and figure 52 of the beetle, though in 

 some the beetle is much narrower in proportion. So far 

 as is known of their history, these larvse live for several 

 years in the ground, some say for three, and others for 

 five years. They are all long in proportion to their 



WIRE-WORMS. 



larvae of which are Wire-worms. En- 

 tomologists have placed some of these 

 insects in different genera, but for the 

 present purpose, it is sufiicient to regard 

 them all as Spring-beetles, and their 

 larvae as Wire-worms. The larvae of 



Fig. 52. 



SNAP-BEETLE. 



