64 THE GYPSY MOTH APPENDIX. 



NOTES ox CERTAIN COLEOPTERA KXOWN TO 



ATTACK THE GYPSY MOTH.* 



A. F. BURGESS, B.8. 



Among the natural insect enemies of the gypsy moth in 

 this country, next to certain Hemiptera, the predaceous 

 Coleoptera should undoubtedly be given a place ; and, 

 although the latter species are not as beneficial as the Hy- 

 menopterous and Dipterous parasites in controlling some 

 of our common injurious insects, their work with reference 

 to the gypsy moth seems to warrant their occupying this 

 prominent position. The most important of the beetles 

 known to attack the gypsy moth are members of the family 

 Carabida- belonging to the genera Cdlosoma and IIarpalnx< 

 and, on account of their voracity, size and rapid move- 

 ments, have long been recognized as formidable enemies to 

 Lepidopterous larva'. They grasp their prey with the 

 sharp mandibles, the favorite place being along some of 

 the dorsal segments, and, after tearing away the integu- 

 ment, suck up the internal contents. As a rule they do not 

 seem to show any particular preference as to their food, 

 since almost all our injurious caterpillars, cut-worms, etc., 

 are attacked by them to a greater or less extent, as is abun- 



J 



dantly shown by reports on beneficial insects. 



Another factor which makes the work of these beetles 

 especially important is the predaceous habits of their larvaj, 

 which have been known to feed on both the eggs and the 

 young caterpillars of the gypsy moth. Previous to 1896 

 the following beetles had been found attacking the gypsy 

 moth larvae in the field : 



* The studies forming the basis of this paper were made at the experiment sta- 

 tion and insectary of the gypsy moth committee during the summer of 1896. The 

 dsscription of the different stages and the drawings illustrating the same were com- 

 pleted at the entomological laboratory of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, 

 under the direction of Prof. C. H. Fernald, entomologist to the committee. 



