. A text-book of agricultural zoology. Zoology, Agricultural; Zoology, Economic. COLEOPTERA OR BEETLES. 143 The life-history of the Click-hcetles is roughly as follows. The adult heetles appear from April to October, but the majority are noticed in June : they may be found settled low down upon grass, or taken in abundance by sweeping a net over clover. They lay their eggs close upon the ground wherever there is plenty of slielter, such as at the base of clover, grass, and weeds. The eggs soon give rise to young wireworm, which are at first white, but which gradually become shiny yellowish-bro
. A text-book of agricultural zoology. Zoology, Agricultural; Zoology, Economic. COLEOPTERA OR BEETLES. 143 The life-history of the Click-hcetles is roughly as follows. The adult heetles appear from April to October, but the majority are noticed in June : they may be found settled low down upon grass, or taken in abundance by sweeping a net over clover. They lay their eggs close upon the ground wherever there is plenty of slielter, such as at the base of clover, grass, and weeds. The eggs soon give rise to young wireworm, which are at first white, but which gradually become shiny yellowish-brown, or even dark-brown, in colour. Wireworm have an extremely tough skin, and are provided with a very powerful mouth; the first three segments have each a pair of jointed legs, and there. Fig. 62.—Striped Click-beetle (Agriotes lineaius). a, Wireworm ; b, pupa ; c, imago. is also a ileshy swelling beneath the anal segment; in addition there will be noticed a few bristles scattered over the surface. When full grown a wireworm may reach the length of an inch to an inch and a quarter, depending upon the species. They take at least three years to mature, and in many instances four or even five, especially if food is scarce. They live entirely underground, upon the roots of plants. During the winter they cease feeding if the weather is severe ; but if the winter is open they may continue feeding all the time. W^hen they are full grown they burrow deep into the earth and pupate, this change' apparently taking place in the autumn; in the following spring or early summer the adult beetle escapes from the ground. Nearly all plants are devoured by wireworm, with the excep- tion of mustard, which they will not touch. Ilax is also said. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Theobald, Frederick Vincent, 1868
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1899
