Mylarris Beetles. 



745 



Investigations of South ArmcAN Mylabrids. 



IJiiiing the latter part of 1918 Mr. C. P. Loimsbury, Chief of the 

 Union Division of Entomology, suggested that as eantharidin had 

 reached a high price it might be possible to utilize Mylabrids and so 

 meet the cost of collecting them whea it becomes necessary to adopt 

 control measures. Accordingly, the question was taken np by the 

 wiiter and some data secured. The problem of collecting will be 

 disciissed under control measures. 



Cyaneolyrra subcoriacea. 



Mylabris lunafa. 



Myiabris oculaho. 



Loss in Live Weight. — When kept in cages the beetles lose a 

 certain amount of weight, principally by the expulsion of excreta. 

 \V hen kept in captivity for twenty-four hours beetles lost in weight 

 as follows : — 



Lot 1 lost 12.4 per cent., Lot 2 lost 12.5 per cent., Lot 3 lost 

 17.8 per cent., Lot 4 lost 3.3 per cent. 



Methods of Killing. — Three methods were employed : — 



(a) The method described by Figuier was ineft'ective. A 15 per 

 cent, solution of stronf? vinegar was used, but beetles were swimming 

 on the surface of the liquid at the end of two hours, quite uninjured. 

 Other beetles were immersed in the solution for one hour, so that they 



