408 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Calosoma willcoxi Lee. 



This species was first described by Dr. Leconte in 1848, 

 It is smaller than any of our Calosomas previously studied, 

 and from its green color might be easily mistaken for a 

 diminutive scrutator. The middle tibia of the male, how- 

 ever, is straight and not hairy, while that of the male 

 C scrutator is curved, and has a dense brush of hairs on the 

 inner surface near the tip. It occurs in Canada and the 

 United States and has been reported very abundant in Mary- 

 land, but is very rare in this vicinity. Its feeding habits are 

 the same as those of the other members of the genus. Riley * 

 reported it feeding on nymphs of the Rocky Mountain locust, 

 and in Canada it has been found climbing the trees and feed- 

 ing on canker worms. f 



Only one specimen has been under observation this season. 

 On June 9, Mr. C. E. Bailey, an agent of the Board, cap- 

 tured this beetle in Newton and brought it to the insectary 

 in perfect condition, where it was confined in a breeding jar. 

 The following day nine eggs were found about an inch below 

 the surface of the earth ; only one hatched, the others prob- 

 ably being infertile. The larva was deformed and very slug- 

 gish in movement, taking no food whatever, and died two 

 days after hatching. No more eggs were laid, however, and 

 June 30 the beetle went into the ground, where it remained, 

 and ate nothing, until August 18. 



The beetle was supplied with full-grown forest tent cater- 

 pillars {Clisiocampa disstria) and third and fourth molt 

 gypsy moth larvae, and consumed on the average about one 

 larva per day. Female beetles, however, never eat as large 

 an amount of food when isolated as when confined with 

 males. 



Although willcoxi has never been observed feeding on the 

 gypsy moth in the field, from the fact that it occurs in the 

 infested districts and feeds on the larvae in confinement, it 

 may be safely enumerated as an addition to the list of natural 

 enemies of P. dispar. 



* First Report United States Entomological Comnaission, 1878, p. 314. 

 t Harrington, Report Entomological Society, Ontario, 1893, p. 24. 



