416 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



(pupa also), Datana ministra, D. 'major, D, integerrima, 

 CEdemasia concinyia, A.(tacus j^^'omethea, A. cecropia, Clisio- 

 ccmvpa americana, G. dissiria, Aa'onycta sp., Hhynclmgrolis 

 alternaia, JSFoctua c-nigrum, Leucania tmipwncfa , Pyrophila 

 pyramidoides, and Catocala sp. 



Method of rearing Predaceous Coleoplera. — From the 

 fact that the adult beetles not only spend })art of their time 

 in the ground, but that the eggs are laid in the soil and the 

 young grubs are beneath the surface the greater part of 

 their existence, accurate observations on the early stages 

 are rendered quite difficult. 



As a preliminary to the study of the early stages and 

 habits of these insects, the limited literature upon the sub- 

 ject was carefully sought out and examined, although but 

 little assistance was thus obtained ; and active operations 

 were commenced in the spring of 1896, as soon as living 

 imagoes became available. 



In order to compare results, the work was beguh along 

 two lines, both with a view to approaching as nearly as 

 possible to natural conditions. One set of observations 

 was made on beetles in l)reeding cages, out of doors, while 

 the other set was made on a limited number of beetles con- 

 fined in small glass jars, where they could be more closely 

 watched. 



For the first purpose, use was made of the cages devised 

 by Mr. Kirkland in 1895, for studying the feeding habits of 

 the imagoes. These were attached to trees near the insect- 

 ary. They were made of wire netting, bent into a nearly 

 cylindrical form. The edges were fastened to the two sides 

 of the tree trunk, the lower end extending down into the 

 ground and the upper end covered by a piece of cloth, one 

 side of which was secured to the tree, the other covering 

 the top of the wire screen cage and held in place by a rub 

 ber strap, the ends of which were fastened to the trunk of 

 the tree.* 



In one of these cages two males of C. frigidum were 

 placed June 6, but at the end of ten days both had died. 

 The beetles of the same species which were placed in the 



* " The Gyps3' Moth," Forbush and Feniald, page 38i. 



