45 
Asaphes decoioratus , Say. 
(Plate YII, Fig. 2-4.) 
This widely distributed species, occurring- through all the 
Northern States east of the Mississippi Liver, is fairly abundant 
in our collections, nearly one third of them coming from corn 
fields. Otherwise the larvae have been collected in meadows and 
pastures and freshly plowed sod, from oats fields (twice) and 
clover, and once from woodlands. 
Of the frequency and amount of its injuries to corn, as com¬ 
pared with other species infesting that crop, we have no very 
precise information. The general drift of our observations is, how¬ 
ever, to the effect that it is of little significance as a corn insect ; 
a conclusion of some interest, since its life history differs from 
that of the other species in a way to render it less subject to 
destruction by fall plowing—almost the only preventive measure 
hitherto found practically useful for wireworms. Indeed, the 
early date at Avhich larval activity ceases, makes it unlikely that 
injuries by this species will be as serious as those whose period 
of pupation comes later in the season. 
Life History Shortened larvse enclosed in oblong oval cavities 
were turned out by the plow in a corn field in Ur ban a April 20, 
1886. They were placed in a breeding cage, and by May 15 one of 
them had pupated on the surface of the earth. June 1 one beetle 
of the lot emerged, and another partially escaped from its pupal 
skin, but died before completing the transformation. In other 
breeding cages larvae were found to have pupated May 16 and June 
13,1886, and a, beetle was obtained from the earlier one on June 2. 
On May 16, 1887, a pupa was turned out by the plow in a corn 
field, and the beetle from it appeared May 25. In a cage con¬ 
taining larvae taken in a clover field, both larvae and pupae were 
found July 19, 1887. Again, larvae kept in an insecure cage 
outdoors had formed cells as late as June 17, 1890, but they 
had not pupated on July 1. Subsequently, when the cage was 
examined, all had escaped. 
The experience of Comstock and Slingerland was to the same 
general effect, except that preparations for pupation did not be¬ 
gin with them until the latter part of May or the first of June. 
Adults had emerged, however, from their pupal cells by June 27, 
in about six weeks after the larvae had been placed in their 
breeding cages. With us, it will be noticed, preparations for 
pupation began April 20, the first pupae were found May 15 and 
16, and the beetles appeared as early as May 25. The pupal 
stage was of about three weeks duration. 
Description. Larva. (Plate VII., Fig. 3 and 4.)—“Subcylin- 
drical in form; considerably flattened; dorsum slightly more 
convex; and lateral fold prominent. Length, when full grown, 
20 mm. to 25 mm. Color dark waxy yellow; mandibles and 
cephalic margin of head black shading gradually into the dark 
brown color of the head. Head flattened, and with long brown 
