67 
( 
like the white grabs, upon the roots, developing slowly and requiring 
about the same period for the perfection of the life cycle — about two 
or three years. Like the white grubs, also, the wire worms transform 
to pupse in autumn, and the change to 
the beetle form takes place before 
winter, the beetles usually remaining 
in a quiescent state until their emer- 
gence the following spring. 
Two common and injurious species 
are chosen as examples of this class, 
although it must be remembered that 
they have not been determined as beet 
feeders. The first is known as the 
wheat wireworm ' {Agriotes niancus 
Say), and is shown four times natural 
size in figure 61. The other is called 
Monocrepidius vespertirius and is intro- 
duced here because known in its three 
principal stages (fig 62). 
Remedies. — Owing to their extremely 
hardy character, indicated by the 
hard, firm texture which has given them 
the name of wireworms, as well as to 
their subterranean nature, these insects 
are even more difiicult to treat satisfactorily than the white grubs. 
Of direct applications, poisons are of little value, but salt in large 
quantity has been used by some persons with success for many years, 
and has been reported to 
be one of the most efl^ect- 
ive applications that can 
be made. Strong brine, 
however, must be used 
with caution, as it some- 
times destroys certain 
forms of plant life. Dif- 
ferent forms of salty 
fertilizers are also said 
to be of value, both as 
stimulants to the aflfected 
plants and as insecticides. 
Among these are kainit 
and nitrate of soda. 
Clean cultivation and poisoned baits are also recommended, the same 
as for white grubs. In fact, where remedial measures are in use 
against either cutworms or white grubs, they apply also to wireworms, 
but are less effective. 
Fig. 61. — Agriotes inancus: a, beetle; 6, larva; 
c, anal segment of larva in profile— about 
four times natural size (author's illustra- 
tion, Division of Entomology). 
(£ c h"^ d 
Fig. 62. — Monocrepidius vespertinus: a, larva, side view; b, same, 
dorsal view; c, beetle: d, pupa— about three and one-half 
times natural .size (author's illustration, Division of Ento- 
mology). 
