10 



Tllf CANADIAN KNTOMllUKJIKT. 



depth at which adults usually hibernate would seem to indicate that they 

 might sufTcr from frost in the pupal chamber so near to the surface. 



In Manitoba there are often long intervals of inactivity during the 

 summer months of the larvae of Afanitoba, venusta, limbata, Lecotitei, and 

 probably others. At such times the larva* close their burrows at the top, 

 and remain apparently without food, and do not grow appreciably. In 

 1907, larva' of venuita and limbata closed their holes on June i .', and some 

 did not appear again until August 25, nearly two and a half months. A 

 few, however, would open up at night, throw out a lot of earth, and then 

 retire again. These larvx were always active when dug out. This strange- 

 habit may be due to the dryness of the soil to some e.xlent, though it is 

 not altogether so, as holes have remained closed during wct weather, and 

 they are always opened in autunm or late summer, and deepened before 

 winter, no matter what the condition of the ground is. I'he extreme heat 

 of the sun may also be a factor of some importance. 'Jhc beetles arc 

 unquestionably intluenced by temperature, and will go into winter quarters 

 earlier on a dry, hot fall than they do during a cold one, and hot summer 

 days are much preferred for commencing winter homes. 



C. Jonnosa .Manitoba, I-eng. — The larval burrow (Kig. 1) o\ this 

 variety differs from all the other species dealt with here, and closely, if not 



exactly, resembles that of 

 Surfac* oF grou nd „■»«_«_ j^fifrosti, as described by 



Shelford. The burrow does 

 not run in a straight line, 

 as in other kinds, but when 

 about one and a half to 

 two inches from the surface 

 gradually bends over so 

 that the entrance enters a 

 cup-like excavation about 

 a «]uartor of an inch from 

 the top, and at right angles 

 to the perpendicular part 

 of the hole. The pit or 

 cup-like excavation varies 

 in size according to the age 

 of the larva, and also to some extent in individuals of the same age, but 

 In mature specimens is on an average one and a half inches wide, an inch 



Auxiliary 

 bu r r 6 w 



Fk>. I. — Burron- of Ck;in<lcla ManitotMU 



