292 , NOTES FROM THE CAIRD INSECT IIOUSE. 



The elm post from which the original British specimens were 

 taken at Enfield was made from a portion of a very large prostrate 

 bough close at hand. The bark was infested with the Scolytids 

 and a colony of about thirty of the Auloniwm in various stages. 



Many elm- trees are standing in the Zoological Gardens from 

 which boughs have been removed, for use as perches in various 

 out-door cages for birds and mammals. 



This habit of using fresh material has the effect of producing 

 exactly the right conditions for the Scolytid pests to flourish. 



We have collected some infested branches, and in the burrows 

 of the Scolyius the Auloniwm (larvpe and remains of beetles) has 

 been rediscovered. 



This interesting discovery will add something to our knowledge 

 of the habits and distribution of this rare beetle. 



Material is now exhibited in the Insect House, from which the 

 beetles will be emerging from May to July. 



Anthia sexguttata. (Six-spotted Ground-Beetle.) 



We received five specimens from India in July 1914, one of 

 which is still alive (March 17th, 1915). It burrowed down into 

 the sand on August 10th, and reappeared on October 1st. They 

 have this burrowing habit in India, but this specimen alone of 

 the five exhibited it. All the others died before the middle 

 of October. Anthia is fed on sugar and live insects. 



Geotrupes sylvaticus. ( Forest- Geotrupid.) 



In September, 1914, we obtained this species from the New 

 Forest. Unlike their brethren, which feed on cattle-dung, these 

 beetles eat fungus and decayed vegetable matter. This colony 

 is laying eggs in a mixture of decaying leaves and banana- 

 skins, and promises to become a permanent addition. 



Enceladus gigas. (Giant Ground-Beetle.) 



A specimen arrived alive and in robust health from Trinidad : 

 it had devoured all the many insects with which it had been sent, 

 and alone survived. It has flourished with us ; it escaped once, 

 and was recaptured in the Small Mammal House. 



Hcemonia appendiculata. 



•This rare beetle has been represented by four specimens living 

 in a small tank since October 13th, 1914, when they were received 

 from Oxford. It is probable that they will breed here. 



&phodrus leucophthalmus. 



This rare Carabid beetle has been collected at Woolwich, and is 

 now exhibited with two allied species, Lcemostenus complanalus 

 and Pristonychus terricola. All are doing well upon a diet of 

 sugar and water. 



