64 BULLETIN 417, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



1881-1884. Bates, H. W. Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta Coleoptera, v. 1, 

 pt. 1, 316 p., 13 pi. 



Pages 21, 262. This species believed by Mr. Gehin, according to Mr. Flohr, to be the same as 

 C. armatum Lap. 



1885. Riley, C. V. Coleoptera, or beetles which destroy Aletia. In 4th Rpt. U. S. 

 Ent. Com., p. 95-97, figs. 14-16. 

 Page 95. Feeds on the cotton worm {Aletia argillacea), p. 95. 



CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA (L.). 

 [Pi. LI 



ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION. 



[Translation.] 



Gold-shining, thorax dark blue, elytra golden green, striate, abdomen somewhat 

 black. 



Habitat in Europe. 



This is the largest species of the genus in Europe. The head and 

 antennae are black; the margins of the thorax and elytra golden. The 

 elytra have 15 crenate striae. 



This insect was described by Linnaeus. It is found more or less 

 commonly in almost all European countries, especially in localities 

 where lepidopterous larvae are abundant, and is considered one of the 

 most useful species of this genus on account of its ability to climb 

 trees and its capacity for destroying caterpillars and pupae. 



HABITS OF ADULTS. 



Extensive investigations have been carried on at the gipsy moth 

 parasite laboratory, and careful studies have been made to secure 

 all the information possible concerning the life history and habits of 

 this species. 1 



Two important facts have recently been secured, namely, that the 

 beetles may live four or more years, this having been determined by 

 records secured from, specimens reared at the laboratory and kept 

 under observation for that period. It has also been determined that 

 the beetles sometimes, and possibly quite frequent^, enter hiberna- 

 tion and do not emerge until the second spring thereafter. Several 

 careful records showing this peculiar habit have been obtained in the 

 course of the investigation of this species. 



DESCRIPTION OF LARVA. 



First stage (PL X, A, B). — Average length of 12 newly-hatched specimens, from 

 base of mandibles to posterior end of last abdominal segment (not including anal 

 proleg or caudal appendages), 9.3 mm.; average width at mesothoracic segment, 

 2 mm. 



The anal proleg is usually 1 mm. in length and the caudal appendages are about 

 twice as long and taper gradually to the tips. 



Color jet-black above; legs, antennae, and mouthparts dark mahogany brown. 

 If placed under a lens the body appears very dark brown, and the legs and mouth- 

 parts are of a somewhat lighter shade. _ Joints of antennas, palpi, legs, and underside 

 of body of a pearly color, except chitinous markings, which are jet-black. General 

 outline of body fusiform. Antennas longer than mandibles; maxillary palpi nearly 

 as long as antennas, tapering to tip of last joint; labial palpi stout, last segment cylin- 

 drical, truncate; pro thorax wider than long. Second abdominal segment as wide as 

 the first, body tapering quite abruptly beyond the 5th abdominal segment. Body 



1 Most of the information obtained has already been published in Bulletin 101 of the Bureau of Ento 

 molosy, and the reader is referred to this publication for the principal details of this insect. (See also 

 Bulletin No. 251, XJ. S. Department of Agriculture.) 



