522 
ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW YORK 
WIREWORMS. ElfD OP THEIR DORIES OF MANY SHAPES. 
The annexed cut will give 
the render a view of the princi¬ 
pal variations which take place 
in this part. In some specimens 
this last segment is simply 
conical and bluntly rounded at 
the end, as represented at «. 
Fig 10. End of tho body of different wireworms. In Others it tapei’S to an acute 
point with a sharp prickle projecting from the end, as at b. 
Others, as shown at c, are similar to one or the other of the pre¬ 
ceding, but have on the back of this segment near its base, two 
conspicuous punctures resembling breathing pores, and thought 
by some entomologists to be such. Others have the tip flattened 
and rough, with its edge showing three or live tooth-like points 
on angular projections, as represented in the cut at cl. In all the 
instances of these four different forms of this part, variously modi¬ 
fied as they are in different specimens, this last segment is much 
longer than wide, and the worms have a narrow, long and slender 
form. In the remaining examples they are shorter and thicker 
bodied, and have the last segment about as broad as long, and 
roundly notched or forked at its end. In some instances this last 
segment is convex and smooth, and ends in two conical sharp 
points, as represented at e, these points being in most instances 
curved upward. Others have the back of the last segment flat¬ 
tened and rough, appearing as though it had been impressed with 
a seal, the margin on each side being elevated and smooth, with 
three or more projecting teeth. Some of these as shown at /, 
have the two forks tapering to sharp, upturned points, each fork 
usually having a small lateral branch. Others, as at y, have the 
forks blunt and notched or two-toothed at their ends. But it is 
not probable that these differences in their structure have any 
important influence upon the habits and economy of these wire- 
worms, the different species which reside underground being alike 
in their manner of life, so far as is known. 
Before describing the species we will relate the origin and 
growth of these insects. The sexes having paired, the female 
beetle deposits her eggs; but exactly where these arc placed has 
never been ascertained that I am aware. The eggs hatch minute 
wireworms, which feed and grow, and at length change to pupae, 
from which the beetle comes out in its perfect form. 
