42 THE SUGAK-BEET WIRE WORM. 
In one instance, when the female in a cell had been dug up she came 
in contact with the male. The latter attempted copulation, but 
unsuccessfully. 
OVIPOSITION. 
On April 9, 1912, the first eggs were deposited. These were laid 
in a vial which contained several females in which the development 
of the eggs was more advanced. These eggs were scattered through- 
out the soil. 
In only one instance was a female noted in oviposition, and that 
was under unnatural circumstances. Several gravid females had 
been placed in a glass, on the bottom of which was about half an inch 
of very compact soil. This glass was placed in the dark room for 
several hours, and when observed again one female was attempting 
oviposition between the soil and the glass. The beetle thrust her 
ovipositor down several times, and finally the egg was placed in the 
bottom of the hole made by the ovipositor. The ovipositor was 
then withdrawn slowly and then thrust back part way several times 
as if the beetle were trying to cover the egg. The entire operation 
took but a very short time. 
When the soil in the cages was broken up and examined for eggs 
it was seen that oviposition under natural conditions must be quite 
similar to that observed, as eggs were found at intervals under the 
channel made by the digging female. 
By the latter part of May the females became very scarce^ as they 
live but a short time after laying their eggs. The males for the 
greater part died during about the middle of the period of oviposition. 
Approximate Length of the Life Cycle. 
Considering the length of the egg stage as one month and the 
length of the pupal stage as the same, these, added to the length of 
the life of the adult, will give from five to eight months. If, as has 
been stated before, the larval stage lasts for over three years, it is 
seen that the length of the life cycle from egg to egg would be four 
years. 
SEASONAL HISTORY. 
Beetles from Emergence to Hibernation. 
The life of the adult, from emergence, through hibernation, until 
their appearance after hibernation, is governed to a great extent by 
conditions over which the beetles themselves have no control. The 
greater part of the beetles emerge from the pupse about the middle 
of September. The beets are plowed up for the most part during 
September and October, so the insect is in danger of being disturbed 
either during the pupal stage or soon after it has changed to the 
