78 CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA. 



examining the burlaps and the trees as higli up as a man could 

 reach, as well as inspecting some of the stones or other material on 

 the ground where the molted sldns were likely to be found. Over an 

 area of about 5 acres, 292 first-stage and 465 second-stage molted 

 skins were found. 



The following year no special inspection was made of the colony, 

 but a general examination of the territory showed that the beetles 

 had spread over about 2 square miles, chiefly to the westward. 



In August, 1910, another careful examination was made similar 

 to that of 1908, and in the same area that was examined the latter 

 year 1,229 first-stage and 1,851 second-stage molted skins were found. 

 The area over which the species had dispersed had also increased, 

 so that evidences of the beetles were found over an area of 11.37 

 square miles. This colony was hberated in a region far away from 

 other colonies, so that the spread did not come from other sources. 

 A colon}" of larvae was liberated in 1909 in Wayland and Weston, Mass., 

 which area is now included, but it is improbable that these plantings 

 spread to an}' great extent. 



It is interesting to note the amount of handwork that was done 

 in the colony. Although the trees had never been sprayed, the egg 

 clusters had been treated each year with creosote. In the center of 

 the colony the burlaps had not been turned, but in the remainder 

 of the woodland they had been turned twice a week during the 

 caterpillar season and the trees have never been defoliated. 



COLONIES OF CALOSOMA LIBERATED IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



The statement wliich follows gives a list of the towns and cities in 

 which colonies of Calosoma sycophanta have been liberated, the num- 

 ber released, and a summary of the data which have been collected 

 concerning the condition of the beetle colonies. Tliis is given 

 somewhat in detail, so that it may be of value to owners of property 

 or residents in the several sections concerned. 



Acton. — In West Acton, about 2^ miles from the railroad station, 200 larvae of 

 Calosoma sycophanta were liberated on July 15, 1910. The gipsy moth infestation 

 in this town was not serious at that time, and the Calosoma beetles were placed in a 

 woodland colony where the gipsy moth infestation was such that the beetles would 

 secure enough food to develop and reproduce the next season. 



Ameshury. — Calosoma larvae to the number of 200 were liberated in the woodland 

 off Haverhill Street, in Ameshury, on July 11, 1910. The gipsy moth caterpillars 

 were present in sufficient nmnbers to furnish food for the development of these larvae. 

 • Andover. — At this point 50 male and 50 female Calosoma beetles that had just 

 emerged from hibernation cages at the laboratory were released on June 4, 1910, in 

 badly infested woodland off Rattlesnake Road. The colony was examined July 11, 

 1910, but no Calosoma beetles were found. Gipsy moth caterpillars and pupae Avere 

 very scarce, owing to the fact that the infestation was so bad earlier in the season 

 dial most of those in the center of the colony died from starvation or disease. 



