402 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



JSTOTES OK PREDACEOUS BEETLES, 1897. 



A. F. BURGESS, M.S. 



During the season of 1897, predaceous beetles, especially 

 those belono-ino; to the o-enus Oalosoma, have been abundant 

 in many localities infested by the gypsy moth, in marked 

 contrast to the condition last year, when considerable diffi- 

 culty was experienced in obtaining sufficient examples of 

 Calosoma frigidum Kirby for making studies on its life 

 history. During the past summer the study of this group 

 of beneficial insects has been continued, several new facts 

 concerning their habits ascertained, and the statements made 

 by the writer in the last annual report of the committee have 

 received additional verification. 



The climbing habits of the genus have been noticed this 

 year more than ever before, and the killing of caterpillars by 

 these beetles, even in the tallest trees, has been repeatedly 

 witnessed. In a colony of the gypsy moth in Saugus, June 

 25, 1897, C. frigidum was observed to climb nearly to the 

 top of a small oak tree and feed upon the caterpillars. When 

 in the top of the trees or at the ends of the limbs, if the tree 

 is suddenly shaken by the wind the beetles often drop to the 

 gi'ound, and in a piece of woodland where they are abundant 

 they are often heard striking upon the leaves, having fallen 

 or dropped from the trees. 



Mr. W. W. Stevens, an inspector who worked in the 

 Saugus colonies, where beetles of this genus were common, 

 informs me that on two occasions he has seen specimens of 

 C . frigidwm fly, or rather " scale," to the ground from a tree 

 after the manner of a flying squirrel. I have occasionally 

 noticed that the beetles vibrate their wings in confinement, 

 but have flung them into the air repeatedly without seeing 

 them make the slightest effort to flv. Mr. Stevens is of 



