60 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



with which they were associated. Watching carefully, however, I 

 observed that the beetles crept under the edge of the material, turned 

 around, faced outward, and sprang upon flies as they came within 

 reach. The flies were then taken into grass or under leaves near by 

 and devoured. The beetles seemed usually to eat but two flies at a 

 meal. Their preference seemed to be for the common blue-bottle fly 

 (Calliphora erythrocephala Meig.), although a gray fly (Sarcophaga) 

 was sometimes devoured. I have seen the beetles so feeding both in 

 eastern New York and in Massachusetts. 



A general discussion then ensued, Mr. Schwarz stating that 

 the two groups of the Staphylinidse are doubtless quite dif 

 ferent from each other in their food habits; several species 

 will apparently eat almost anything that comes in their way, 

 while others seem to be strictly carrion feeders. Mr. Busck 

 reported seeing Staphylinidse feeding on larvae on leaves ; 

 while Mr. Knab said he had seen them in the tropics resting 

 idly on the vegetation. Doctor Ashmead stated that while he 

 had never seen one of these beetles catch a living fly he knew 

 them to be feeders on carrion and thought that they were 

 predaceous also. Doctor Uhler reported observing Staphy- 

 linus maculosus feeding on dead animals and on the substance 

 of toadstools, but on nothing else. Mr. Schwarz stated that 

 this species is not uncommonly observed feeding on rotten fish, 

 but he had never seen it feeding on vegetable matter. Doc 

 tor Ashmead said he had seen this or a closely related species in 

 Florida feeding on one of the common toadstools after decay 

 had set in. Doctor Hopkins stated that members of the 

 family Staphylinidae are often found in galleries of barkbeetles 

 and that some species appear to be predaceous, while others 

 are scavengers only. 



A query was read from Mr. G. K. Gilbert, asking about 

 the construction of nests of Pogonomyrmex ants in the West, 

 and the reasons for the pebbles and other coarser material 

 placed on top. Discussion of this subject was participated in 

 by many of the members. Mr. Schwarz spoke on the habits of 

 P. occidentalis Cress, and Doctor Ashmead on the habits of P. 

 barbatus Sm., both describing the nests as being as of the same 

 general character a large mound with a thick, more or less 

 solid crust above composed of coarse material, such as cinders 



