36 
31 and April 24, 1884, they were still in hibernation in straw- 
berry fields, but by April 27, 1892, specimens were taken on 
the wing at dusk. They are much the commonest in our collec¬ 
tions made in May and July. 
Comstock found the larvae quite abundant in April in sod-land 
on the Cornell University farm. 
The larvae of eighteen small lots collected from my office, in 
Illinois, divide readily into two well-distinguished sizes, and only 
two. Those of the smaller size, 6.2 mm. long, were taken March 
26, June 5, 11, 26, and 29, and in November, without date 
specified; and those of the larger size, averaging 8.8 mm in 
length, were found May 19, 29, and 30, June"l6, 17, and 20, 
July 8, August 18, and October 26. 
Uiom these data it seems probable that this species emerges 
in summer and early fall, probably laying its eggs in part the 
same season, as indicated by my small larvse taken in November, 
and also, from timothy sod, the 26th of March; that it hibern¬ 
ates in sheltered places and continues abundant until June of 
the following year, doubtless breeding meanwhile, as shown by 
the number of younglarvse occurring in June; and that it lives 
two seasons in the earth before pupation—a supposition neces- 
sarv to account for the distinction in size noticeable in larvae' 
collected together at various dates, practically throughout the 
entire year. 
It follows from the foregoing that late fall plowing, com¬ 
mended as a general defence against wireworm attack, would 
probably be substantially without effect against this species. 
Breeding experiments with respect to the habit of hibernation 
m the pupal chamber are, however, needed to determine the 
value of this economic method for Drasterius elegans. 
The Wheat 'Wireworm. 
(Agriotes mancus, Say.) 
(Plate V., Fig. 4-6.) 
This larva, commonly known as the wheat wireworm, is in- 
jurious to corn as well as to small grain. It is a cylindrical 
pale brownish yellow species, readily distinguished from any 
other wireworm (except another species of the same genus, 
doubtfully separate) by the smooth outlines of the last segment 
of the body, (which is slightly pointed at the tip), and especially 
by two conspicuous black circular pits upon the upper surface 
of this segment near its front border. 
It was first found by me in corn fields July 1, 1883, in afield 
near Peru, Illinois, which had been broken up the preceding year 
from sod. Specimens collected here were devouring the roots of 
the corn and perforating the stems just above the roots, the 
plants being at the time from eight to twelve inches high. The 
effect of this attack—especially of the perforation of the stems— 
