BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [44] 



consideratious, and also because the Coleoptera then retreat more deeply into the 

 ground and can not be found so easily as when the ground is free from frost. Other 

 good collecting places in winter are the accumulated old leaves along the edges of 

 forests or under the shrubbery along water courses, thick layers of moss, and the 

 loose bark of dead or dying trees, and, finally, also under the bark of certain living 

 trees, e. g. Pines, Sycamore, Shellbark Hickory. Digging in the ground at the base 

 of large trees or rocks also yields good returns. The only instruments necessary for 

 winter collecting are the sieve, the chisel, and the trowel. 



Spring Collecting. — With the first days of spring, collecting becomes a little more 

 varied. The methods used for winter collecting can still be continued with good 

 success. Certain spring flowers, notably AVillow blossoms, will furnish many valu- 

 able species, which are not seen again during the rest of the season. 



MyrmecopMlous and TermitopMlous species. — The early spring is also the best time for 

 collecting the Myrmecophilous and Termitophilous Coleoptera. Termitophilous. 

 species have in North America hitherto been found only in connection with the White- 

 ants ( Termes jiavipes), and the inquilinous beetles are found running among the White- 

 ants in the colonies under stones, 

 loose bark of trees, and more numer- 

 ously in the interior of old infested 

 trees. Myrmecophilous Coleoptera 

 are by far more numerous in species 

 than the Termitophilous species and 

 are found among many species of 

 ants which have their nests either 

 under stones or loose bark of trees, 

 in stumps or logs, or wliich con- 

 struct larger or smaller hills. Upon 

 uncovering a colony of ants under 

 a stone, the underside of the latter 

 as well as the galleries of the ants 

 in the ground should be carefully 

 examined for inquilines, which from 

 their greater or slighter resem- 

 blance to the ants are liable to be 

 overlooked by an inexperienced col- 

 lector. If such colony of ants har- 

 bors a rare beetle the subterranean part of the colony itself should be dug out and 

 sifted, but since from the stony nature of the ground this is not always practicable 

 it is to be recommended to carefully replace the stone under which, the colony has. 

 been found. Upon revisiting the spot again the next day or even a few hours after 

 the first visit additional specimens of the inquilines are usually to be obtained on 

 the stone or in the superficial galleries of the ants. Ant colonies in hollow trees and 

 in rotten logs should be sifted and there is no particular difficulty connected with, 

 this operation. Owing to the pugnacious character of the hill-constructing ants it 

 would seem to be a rather unpleasant task to examine a strong and vigorous colony 

 for inquilinous beetles, but the collector must not mind being bitten and stung by 

 the infuriated ants, and after a little experience he will find that it is not such a. 

 difficult thing after all to attack even the largest ant-hill. The only thorough way 

 of investigating such ant- hills is to sieve the same, which can be easily done if the 

 hill is composed of sticks and other A^egetable d6bri&. If it is built of earth or sand 

 the process of sifting is more difficult and tedious. Another method of securing 

 specimens of these inquilinous beetles is to place flat stones or similar objects on the 

 surface of the ant-hill and to examine them occasionally, when the beetles will be 

 found on the underside of the traps. 



Spring Flights of Coleoptera.— On the first really warm days of spring commences 

 the "swarming" season of Coleoptera, when all winged species are flying about,. 



Fig. 64.— a Lamellicorn (Fclidnota punctata), a, larva 

 b, pupa; c, beetle; d, e, /, enlarged parts. 



