76 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 



kind of flight I have more particularly in view is that relating to distribution 

 rather than food supply. At such times insects seem to prepare for a more sus- 

 tained flight. They also often abandon their usual habits like the tiger-beetles, 

 flying at night. 



Towards late autumn there is a continued movement in search of winter 

 quarters, a restlessness that we might suspect to be similar to the original impulse 

 that later turned to regular migration among certain animals. Especially as this 

 restlessness is not confined to insects, but is noticeable in several other groups 

 particularly among spiders, many of which, as I have already related, spin suffi- 

 cient web to suspend them in the air, while others spin from stem to stem so that 

 at times almost every plant is covered with those tiny strings, indicating the line 

 of travel traversed by those small animals. 



Among our autumn insects one is particularly noticeable on account of its 

 abundance. I refer to Aphodius scahriceps. This beetle appears in late August 

 from unknown breeding grounds, and by September, on fine sunny days, may be 

 observed in countless millions — at times so numerous, indeed, that looking towards 

 the sun when it is low, the whole air seems to be glistening haze, caused by the» 

 myriads of moving wings as the beetles fly to and fro. This flight goes on inter- 

 mittently until frost commences to harden the ground, and at times is continued 

 all night. Wliat the object of it is I do not know, nor where the beetles go to, 

 but they vanish at this time to be seen no more until the following autumn. They 

 are also taken in Colorado, but, so far as I know, have not been seen over the inter- 

 vening country. Perhaps some day they may be found breeding in the neighbour- 

 hood. Indeed, the chances are they will, but at present they are one of the 

 little mysteries that confront the local entomologist. 



Other species of Apliodius are also common fliers at this time, particularly 

 inquinatus, but their food is known and they appear again in the spring. They 

 are seen on all bright days, with countless other insects — winged ants, aphids, bugs, 

 and many beetles — all seeking winter homes ; and that their tastes are often similar 

 is shown by the fact that the latter at least are constantly found huddled together 

 as if seeking comfort, or warmth, in numbers. 



Such is a summary 'of the flight of insects as viewed at Aweme. In addition, 

 we have also the movements of mosquitoes, whose coming we can foretell by the 

 direction of the wind. There are also the annual excursions of dragon flies, and 

 occasionally the marchings of caterpillars, such as the army worm, etc. The 

 primary reasons for these movements seem to be threefold. Firstly, distribution : 

 the instinctive desire common to all creation to spread over and occupy as large 

 an area as possible. Secondly, food supply : the scarcity of food in a given locality 

 making it necesary for them to go elsewhere in search of it; and thirdly: sexual 

 advantages. It is well known that nearly all life derives a benefit from the union 

 of well separated individuals, and is injured in vitality by in-breeding. Conse- 

 quently, the movements of insects to seek their mates elsewhere is of decided benefit 

 to the race as a whole. 



Note. — Since writing the above the mystery of Aphodius scahriceps has been 

 partly cleared up. The mature insects have- been found emerging and burrowing 

 into ploughed fields in considerable numbers, while odd individuals were discovered 

 in a partly decomposed tomato. There is, therefore, every reason to suspect that 

 these beetles feed upon the decayed vegetation covered over by the plow. If this 

 is so, they may be of decided benefit to agriculture. 



