4b 
while the only specimen of the Anthomyiid (Homalomyia scalaris)' which 
was reared was found in the breeding cage with cocoons of Orgyia on 
September 26, 1895. Neoglaphyroptera bivittata, a beautiful little black 
and yellow Mycetophilid, was reared in two instances, the first on 
May 28 and the second one April 30, 1896. They were found in the 
breeding cage with cocoons of the Orgyia collected October 15 of the 
previous year. The Diplosis was reared in April, 1896, and again in 
September, 1896, the first tine from cocoons collected October 15, 1895, 
and the second time from cocoons collected in July, 1896. 
THE OTHER INSECTS. 
Among the other insects found feeding upon the tussock-moth cater- 
pillars or reared from their cocoon masses none are worthy of especiai 
mention with the exception, perhaps, of the larvie of Anthrenus varius. 
These larvee were found constantly in the old cocoon masses of the 
Orgyia and under the batches of eggs which had already hatched, 
where they were engaged in feeding upon the dry remains of pup 
and eggs. This is quite in accordance with the known habits of this 
insect. Its frequent occurrence in the egg masses led us to surmise 
that it might be found to feed upon the living eggs, and thus become a 
true enemy of the tussock moth. Predatory habits begin in this way. 
This surmise was proved to be correct in February, 1897. Mr. Busck, 
who had been instructed to watch carefully all egg masses which he 
should observe out of doors, with this object in view, brought in, Feb- 
ruary 14, two egg masses which had evidently been eaten by some 
insect. Both egg masses were eaten on one side of the surface. One 
was eaten into from the under side, and in the hole was a cast skin of 
the larva of a Trogoderma, presumably T. tarsale. These egg masses 
were carefully examined, since it was suggested that simply the frothy 
secretion might have been fed upon, but eggs were found which had 
been half eaten, and examination of the other eggs in the mass showed 
that they were unhatched and living. Later, on the same day, Mr. 
Buseck was sent out for additional material, and succeeded in finding a 
spot where the egg masses were numerous and collected 50 or more 
larvie of Anthrenus varius and Trogoderma tarsale hidden among the 
egg masses. These were brought in and kept under observation in con- 
finement. It was soon proved beyond all doubt that they eat sound 
eggs of the tussock moth with avidity, and certainly just as readily as 
they eat dead animal matter, which was given them at the same time. 
We have thus the beginning of what may ultimately prove to be a very 
beneficial predatory habit on the part of these Dermestid larve. The 
only record known to us of a true predatory habit on the part of a Der- 
mestid larva is published by A. Kuwert in the Stettiner Entomolo- 
gische Zeitung for 1871, page 305, where it is stated that the larvee of 
1This species is common to Europe and North America. In Europe its larva has 
been found in human excrement. 
