^NVEiSTICjAT10^' Oi'' Lli''E iiliSTOlli'. 51 



C£.refiil experiments in order to determine the best ca^es t<i use for 

 the hibernation ol" these insects, and the results of these various tests 

 are given in onk'r that others wlio may dosire to carry on simihir 

 work may })r()iit l)y this experience. 



Experiments in Winterinc; Talosoma Beetles in: Galvanized-Iron Caoes. 



In tlie fall of 1907 it l)ecame necessary to j)lace as many Ijeeties 

 as possible in hibernation caf>;es so that a supply would l)e available 

 for the rearmj; work of the following; sprmj";, as well as to make a 

 thorough test of the ability of this species to withstand a New England 

 winter. Several styles of cages were used for the purpose, and as it 

 was desired to place them out of doors a number of cages was con- 

 structed of galvanized iron. They were made in the form of a 

 cylinder, 20 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. A flange was 

 turnetl on the u])per and lower edges so that wire netting could be 

 attached by means of a wire wliicli encircled the cylinder at the base 

 of each flange. They were set in the ground so that 2 or 3 inches 

 of the cage protruded. Beetles were placed in these cylinder cages 

 in Sei)tember, 1907. The following s])ring it was found that these 

 cages were very unsatisfactory for the jiurpose, as two-thirds or more 

 of the msects placetl m them had died during the winter. The cliief 

 trouble ai)peared to be due to the freezmg and thawing of the earth 

 in the cylinder, which rendered it very compact, and in many cases 

 the beetles were crushed m their hibernation cavities or were unable 

 to make their way through the wet soil early in the spring. For- 

 tunately, several other styles of cages were used and better results 

 with them were secured. 



Experiments in Wintehint. Calosoma Beetles in Wire-Screen Cages. 



Several hibernation cages were made of galvanized-wii-e screen 

 havuig a |-mch mesh. This material is connnonly used for screen- 

 ing cellar windows, and it forms an excellent cage. (See fig. 9, 

 p. IS.) 



Several experiments were also tried in using cages made of mos- 

 quito netting sunk mto the ground and attached on one side to the' 

 trunks of trees. The results with these cages were satisfactory, but 

 as the wire rustetl badly it is impossible to use them for more than 

 one season, so that the cage previously mentioned is more desirable. 



Experiments in Wintering Calusuma Beetles in Box (ages. 



For hibernating large numbers of beetles use has been made of 

 tight wooden boxes about 24 inches deep, providetl \\dth galvanized 

 iron wire bottoms and covers, and these have proved satisfactoiy. 

 (See fig. 8, p. 17.) 



