XXxii, '21 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 3 



physical and climatic conditions and altitudes, in sandy <>r 

 sandy loam soils. The fact that such soils arc much better 

 suited to the multiplication of these insects than those contain- 

 ing a high percentage of clay, has been repeatedly noted by 

 collectors, and the general prevalence in a locality ot" a hard 

 "gumbo" or of a clayey surface is not suitable for the best 

 development of these Tenehrionidae. In instances where there 

 are small local sandy areas and clay is the predominating soil. 

 such as often occurs in western Kansas ;uid western Nebraska. 

 the arenaceous areas are usually much more productive for the 

 collector of these beetles. The great abundance of beetles of 

 the genus Elcodcs has been repeatedly correlated with friable 

 and often gravelly as well as merely sandy soil and sub-soil. 



Condition of soil. The breaking of native sod, especially on 

 sandy land, and the consequent changes in the condition ot the 

 soil, also has an important bearing on the 1 multiplication ot the 

 injurious species. The epigaeal Tenebrionidae are less abund- 

 ant on such land while it is under cultivation, as by such pro- 

 cess the immature stages more often are distributed and ex- 

 posed to the elements and to enemies. It is noted, however, that 

 the insects are found abundantly in grass and weeds near to 

 and around the edges of such areas. The breaking up ot sod 

 on hard land may occasionally favor the increase of Kleodiini 

 and Asidini. probably by furnishing a medium beneath which 

 the adults can more easily deposit eggs and obtain shelter. 1-ur- 

 ther, it has been repeatedly observed that lUcodcs are much 

 more abundant on strips of plowed land which were afterwards 

 permitted to run wild than on the native hard surface' around 

 such plowed portions. The presence of humus also increases 

 the likelihood of greater infestation. The adults of Eleodes 

 and Embaphion appear to show marked preference for tin- 

 areas upon which grass is scanty and short instead ol those 

 upon which the growth is heavy. They are also more easily 

 found, in warm weather, near sunset or during twilight. 



Drainage of soil. All collections made indicate that good 

 drainage favors the multiplication of /:7rm/r\ and other I en- 

 ebrionidae of like habits. Other conditions being ec|iial. gently 

 sloping hillsides usually are more heavily infested than are 



