April, 7 18] 
McCOLLOCH: FALSE WIREWORMS, ELEODES 
217 
Most of the worms reached the next to the last moult during the 
summer and fall and passed the winter in this condition. From the 
first of November to the first of March they fed but little and were very 
inactive. Commencing the first week in March, they began feeding 
again and moulted during April or May. The first larva pupated May 
27 and the last larva on June 30. Field data bear out this study. 
Practically full-grown larvae were found in the grass-land during early 
April. These moulted and pupated about the same time as those 
reared. It is interesting to note that five larvae, hatching from eggs 
laid early in July, 1916, pupated during October and November. The 
average length of the larval stage in this case was 77 days. Before 
pupation, the larvae enter a semi-pupal or quiescent stage, which lasts 
from five to ten days. During this time they do not feed and are very 
inactive. 
In rearing the larvae, it was found that they made their best growth 
when placed in boxes containing soil with bran and wheat for food. 
When fed on decaying matter and roots they made a much slower 
growth and in nearly every case failed to reach maturity. About 200 
larvae were reared in boxes containing nothing but dry bran. Most of 
these lived from three to six months but they made very little growth 
and moulted only once. 
The Pupa. —The pupae (PI. 5, C) are white in color after transforma¬ 
tion and are 15-19 mm. in length. As development proceeds, the body 
color changes to creamy yellow and the mandibles, legs, and antennae 
become dark in color. At the end of 14 to 16 days the mandibles and 
claws show a deep reddish-brown color. 
Pupation took place in the spring of 1916 during the last week in 
May and the entire month of June. The first larva pupated on May 
27 and the last one pupated June 30. Maximum pupation occurred on 
June 4. The pertinent data on the length of the pupal stage are shown 
in the following table: 
Length of Pupal State 
Year 
/ 
No. of Pupae 
Min. Days 
Max. Days 
Average Days 
1916 
49 
11 
22 
19.4 
1917 
32 
13 
45 
17.0 
In one case, a larva pupated October 14, 1916, and the adult issued 
November 28, giving a pupal stage of 45 days. Another individual 
pupated October 23, 1916, and passed the winter in this stage, dying in 
April, 1916. 
The Adult.— The adult beetles (PI. 5, D) are oblong oval, black, 
