168 



dropped into the water or could be found in wet regions. Again the 

 destructive and obnoxious Rose Bug had found as its enemy more 

 than one individual of this species of turtle. Nearly half of the 

 turtles of this species had eaten beetles of some kind, and over one- 

 third had fed upon flies in some stage. 



Special records of our examinations of specimens are as follows: 

 5951b contained a very rich collection of aquatic larvae; many 

 Diptera larvae and pupae, probably Chironomid or Tipulid; two or 

 more robust Coleoptera or Mayfly, aquatic insect larvae, heads of Col- 

 eoptera larvae, one perfect shrimp like Crustacean, one snail. 



No. 5951c^ contained a choice collection of Chironomid and other 

 aquatic larvae or nymphs. Parts of Euphoria inda, wing of Braconid 

 and many other insect fragments. 



No. 5951c^, c^ and c* likewise contained insects, vegetable matter 

 being absent in the above five specimens. 



No. 6391b^ contained about three dozen Notonectid nymphs; May- 

 fly nymphs; maggot-like fly larvae; Tipulid (?) larva; three Odonata 

 nymphs; Elytra of water beetle; two species of aquatic Crustacea, 

 several of each. 



No. 6593 b contained fifty-three sawliy larvae and several other 

 insects. 



No. 9626 b contained a vertebrate, probably a frog. Fragments of 

 insects and of crayfish may be originally from frog. Only five out of 

 tw^enty-seven contained vegetable matter, and these all contained far 

 more animal matter than vegetable matter. The species therefore 

 is to be considered carnivorous, or more narrowly insectivorous, 

 rarely feeding on vertebrated animals. 



In speaking of the food of this turtle, Ditmars says, in his report, 

 page 5, "These feed largely on dead fish and the larvae of aquatic 

 insects. In captivity it will eait lettuce leaves, but seems unable to 

 swallow when the head is not covered with water." Hay reports its 

 food as consisting of "tadpoles, young frogs and other weak 

 animals." It is our belief that he had heard a wrong report. He 

 further adds that he learned "they devoured crickets, grasshoppers 

 and earthworms." This is, of course, accurate. 



DeKay published that the food consists of insects, frogs and 

 worms. It is to be doubted if these turtles feed much if at all upon 

 frogs. 



Holbrook says its food consists of "such animals as it can seize, as 

 tadpoles, young frogs, etc." He also published that "it takes to 

 land frequently in search of food, devouring earthworms, crickets, 

 grasshoppers, etc." 



From the above chart it is proven for the first time that the 

 Speckled Turtle is particularly insectivorous and is benefioial rather 

 than obnoxious. In the interest and eoonomy of mankind the 

 ^pecltle^ Turtle is worthy of presfervatios!, 



