32 THE SUGAE-BEET WIKEWOKM. 
The Adult. 
EMERGENCE OF THE ADULT. 
During the last few days before emergence the pupa becomes very 
sensitive to hght or contact, and when disturbed turns around in its 
pupal cell by moving its abdomen. An attempt was made to photo- 
graph one during this state, but in the hour and a half it was exposed 
it did not remain quiet long enough for an exposure to be made. 
The abdomen is drawn in and out as if the beetle were trying to break 
the pupal skin. This goes on for some time, often for more than a 
day, and finally the pupal skin splits down the dorsum of the thorax 
and is worked off. The beetle (PI. XVI), which has been quite active 
in shedding its skin, now becomes quiescent, and folding its legs and 
antennae as they were in the pupa, remains in the pupal cell. The 
cast pupal skin lies in the posterior end of the pupal cell along with 
the last larval skin, and helps form an obstruction between the pupal 
cell and the old larval channel. The cast pupal skin is semi trans- 
lucent white and thin, but at the same time quite tough. 
In two cases the legs of the beetle broke through the leg cases 
before the pupal integument split down the dorsum. Neither of 
these adults completely emerged, and after moving their legs feebly 
for a few days they died. 
PERIOD OF EMERGENCE. 
The period of emergence of the beetle from the pupa varies wddel3\ 
This was true both of those which were reared in the laboratory and 
of those pupae which were collected outdoors. Adults emerged be- 
tween early August and October in the laboratoiy, and pupae from 
the fields have given adults between the same dates. One pupa 
from the field transformed to adult October 6. Mr. Russell observed 
one adult emerge in the laboratory as late as October 17. 
Beetles disturbed dviring the fall are able to bury themselves and 
live if they are not injured. Several which emerged in the laboratory 
were constantly disturbed so they could be watched, but it seemed to 
have no ill effects on them. 
ACTIONS DIRECTLY AFTER EMERGENCE. 
As soon as the pupal skin is shed the adult, retaining the position 
it had held as a pupa, lies in the pupal cell. At first the beetle is a 
little softer and lighter in color, but soon becomes hard and fully 
colored. Since none of the pubescence on its thorax or elytra has 
been rubbed off, it appears grayish in color. At this time these 
beetles are totally different in their actions than the}^ are in the 
spring, when they appear on the surface, being negatively heliotropic 
and hiding under anything the}^ can find or burrowing into the soil 
when exposed to light. They also seek damp, cool quarters in 
