THE GENUS CALOSOMA. 83 



Seven males and 11 females received from Texas in 1911 were 

 placed in outdoor hibernation cages after they ceased feeding in the 

 fall. From the same lot of beetles three males and five females 

 hibernated in jars in the cellar. None of those put in outdoor cages 

 lived to emerge in the spring of 1912, while two males of those placed 

 in the cellar emerged May 10. The dead beetles were unearthed 

 J to 6 inches below the surface. The two that emerged from the jars 

 were at the bottom, or under 6 inches of earth. 



The results of these experiments indicate that this species can not 

 successfully hibernate under New England conditions. 



COLONIES. 



In the fall of 1911 and during the spring of 1912 over 150 beetles of 

 this species were colonized in a florist's greenhouse at Brighton, 

 Mass. This is the same house in which experiments were conducted 

 with Calosoma scrutator as an enemy of cutworms. Although many 

 visits were made it was impossible to determine that reproduction 

 took place. At the close of the experiment, December, 1912, no evi- 

 dence was secured to show that this species can live through one year 

 under greenhouse conditions in the North. 



No attempts were made to colonize adults of this species in the field 

 in New England on account of their failure to survive the winter. 

 Very little is known of their habits in the South and Central West, 

 but judging from the large numbers collected at various times and 

 shipped to the laboratory, and what has been learned of their habits, 

 they must destroy large numbers of lepidopterous larvae that feed on 

 and near the ground. 



THE EGG. 



Twelve fresh eggs gave the 'following average measurements: Length, 4.1 mm.; 

 width, 1.6 mm. They are of the same elliptical form, ordinarily tapering slightly 

 toward one end, as are those of other species of the genus. White with a very faint 

 yellowish tinge. 



Notes secured in 1910 and 1911 indicated that eggs deposited the 

 latter part of July and August required four and five days to hatch. 



DESCRIPTION OF LARVA. 



First stage. — Small, rather stout, tapering abruptly to anal end. Average length of 

 20 specimens, 7 mm.; width, 1.6 mm. Caudal appendages short, stout, angled about 

 45° from the body, bearing a few short spines. Color dull black on the dorsum, ventral 

 plates grayish brown. Lateral and ventral plates bearing numerous short spines. 



Second stage. — Stout, tapering same as in iirst stage. Average length of nine speci- 

 mens, 13.2 mm.; width, 3.1 mm. Caudal appendages very short, not erect, curved 

 downward beyond dorsal protuberance. Dorsal protuberance very short, not promi- 

 nent, making an angle of 45° with appendages. Color shining black on the dorsum, 

 ventral plates very dark brown to black. 



Thirdstage. — Robust in form. Average length of L2 specimens, 19.5 mm.; width. 

 4.9 mm. Caudal appendages similar to those of second stage but stouter, dorsal 

 protuberance presenting same aspect, acute ami Located about two-thirds the distance 

 from base to tip. Color dull to shining black on dorsum, ventral plates dark brown to 

 black. No reddish-brown patch on dorsum of last segment in second and third stages. 



TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETE LARVAL STAGES. 



The length of time spent in the larval stages varies considerably : 

 4 to 7 days are required for the first stage, 5 to 7 tor the second . and L2 

 to 15 for the third, to date of pupation; 26 to 30 arc required from 



