212 
Observations on the various Insects 
Larvce of crane-Jlies, the millipedes and centipedes, all called 
Wirewonns by farmers. 
Wirev^orms are of various sizes and ages at tlie same time in a 
field. 
It is doubtful if they can fast long. 
Eggs probably deposited in pastures, clov er-layers, and fallows, 
Avliilst the surface is undisturbed. 
Not deposited in turnip and potato fields probably. 
One Wireworm will hite twenty different stalks. 
Vei-y hazardous to re -sow where they have destroyed a crop, 
unless the soil be ploughed repeatedly. 
Wireworms cannot propagate or increase their numbers, and the 
Elaters do not lay eggs during the six winter months. 
Wherever grass icill groio the Wireworms may be found. 
They are most to be dreaded in dry seasons, yet they cannot 
exist without some moisture. 
Oats suffer most severely on fresh broken-up land : often 
ploughed up and re-sown. 
Valuable land laid down \n pasture to avoid their depredations. 
Jiarlcy-crops generally injured in dry and cold springs. 
The Elaters and Wireworms found under stones on downs, 
whilst the crops were attacked by the latter. 
Wheat greatly injured by the Wireworms during the whole of 
winter, it is said. 
Thev descend deep into the earth y/hen frosts are severe. 
Wheat obliged to be ploughed up near Belfast from their 
attacks. 
Affected plants are known by the dying off of the outer leaves. 
The Wireworms eat into the stem above the roots, and sometimes 
separate the stalk. 
Elaters placed on the earth buried themselves, and were found 
dead at the roots of the wheat. 
Elater lineatus abundant beginning of June, but by the middle 
of the month they had disappeared. 
Wircicorms form burrows in the earth at 2 or 3 inches deep. 
The smallest Wireworms often the offspring of Elater obscurus 
and E. lineatus, and the largest of E. ruficaudis, it is supposed. 
Potatoes are destroyed in the west of England, and escape the 
attacks of the Wireworms in the eastern counties. 
Wireworms found in the hearts of potatoes in Dorsetshire. 
They destroy the " .tf^s " when first planted; to palliate this 
evil, plant whole potatoes. 
It is doubtful whriiier the curl be produced by the Wireworm. 
llop-plants altackcfl I)y tlieni. 
Cabbages destroyed by them to a great extent. 
Turnips suffer most amongst green crops. 
