METHODS OF PAP KING BEETLES FOR SHIPMENT. 9 



habits. Some of tliese studies have .sliown vciv iiit crest injj: results, 

 whieli it is h()]HHl may l)e ])ul)Ushe{l hiter. 



Four huiuh-ed and iivo six'cimens of (\ sijcopltanta were received 

 m 1909, and in addition 25 hirva^ of this species arrived in boxes with 

 parasitiy.ed <2:ipsy moth material. Sp(>ciniens of otlier carabids M'ero 

 also sent in limited nund)ers; 



During the summer of 1910, 1,305 living specimens of Calosoma 

 sycophanta were received from Miss Ruhl and several shipments of 

 miscellaneous species of C^arabus came from the same source. For 

 the first time smce the work was begun specimens of Calosoma and 

 alhed genera were received from Japan. A very few individuals 

 reached the laboratory in healthy condition, and these were used for 

 rearing work. 



The following table gives the number of live specimens of C. syco- 

 pTianta received since the work began. 



Table I. — Number of live specimens of Calosoma sycophanta received in Massachusetts, 



1905 to 1910. 



Sixty-seven per cent of these beetles were liberated in field colonies 

 and the balance was used for experimental and reproduction work. 



METHODS OF PACKING PREDACEOUS BEETLES FOR SHIPMENT. 



Considerable difficulty is always experienced in sliipping living 

 insects long (Ustances, especially if it is necessary to collect and for- 

 ward them when they are active, and also if they must reach their 

 destination in season to feed and reproduce without serious inter- 

 ruption. Species that can be packed when dormant can be easily 

 transferred from one place to another, but it has not been foiuid 

 possible to do this with predaceous beetles. 



In 1905, as has already been stated, the beetles imported were 

 packed in tin boxes, and i)ractically all of them died in transit. Two 

 kinds of boxes were used for the purpose. One style (fig. 2) consisted 

 of a tin box 6\ inches wide, lOV inches long, and 2\ inches deeji. It 

 was divided in the center by a ])artition, and small i)artitions were sol- 

 dered to it, so as to make 20 compartments. In each of these a beetle 

 was placed, as well as a gii)sy-moth cateri)illar or pupa. The box was 

 wrapped with stout paper and shijiped hy mail. On arrival it was 

 found that the beetles had attacked the food placed in the compart- 



