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



COLLECTIONS AND SHIPMENTS. 



The late H. M. Russell, of this bureau, on June 9, 1910, for- 

 warded a female of C. cancellation Esch. from Compton, Cal., accom- 

 panied by a letter stating that he had found "the larva of the beetle 

 feeding in a sugar-beet field on larvae of Peri-drama saucia. It dis- 

 appeared about May 15 and was found as a beetle 3 inches below the 

 surface of the ground June 6, 1910." This beetle died June 14 after 

 its arrival at Melrose Highlands, Mass.* 



April 5 and 6, 1914, Mr. J. E. Graf, also of this bureau, collected at 

 Compton, Cal., six males and two females of this species and for- 

 warded same alive to Melrose Highlands, Mass. They were col- 

 lected on low shrubbery, and Mr. Graf stated that they feed on coleop- 

 terous and lepidopterous larvae. 



FOOD OF ADULTS. 



The adults received at Melrose Highlands, Mass., April 16, 1914, 

 were offered larvae of N. clandestina, of which one pair of beetles 

 destroyed from 5 to 12 large larvae per day. M. americana and P. 

 dispar larvae were consumed after May 15 to about July 8, when 

 some of the adults died and others remained inactive in the earth. 



REPRODUCTION AND HIBERNATION. 



April 16, 1914, one pair of adults from California were enclosed in 

 a rearing jar and fed regularly at intervals. From May 8 to June 18 

 eggs were noted in the earth, and a total of 11 larvae hatched from 

 eggs deposited by this female. In another jar containing five males 

 and one female from the same source as above were found seven 

 larvae during the season. From these records it would appear that 

 this species is not a prolific breeder. 



No adults of this species lived to enter hibernation in the fall. 



EGG. 



Six eggs that had been preserved in alcohol averaged 3.7 mm. in length and 1.5 mm. 

 in width. Color creamy-white, form elliptical, very slightly larger near the anterior 

 end, tapering slightly toward the posterior. 



The eggs were not found as soon as deposited, therefore close data 

 on time required to pass the egg stage were not secured. It probably 

 ranges from 6 to 12 days under Massachusetts conditions when the 

 eggs are deposited in May, possibly less in California, the native 

 habitat. 



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LARVA. 



First stage. — Small, rather slender larva. Average length of six newly hatched 

 specimens that had been preserved in alcohol 8.1 mm., width 2.1 mm. Color dull 

 black dorsally, ventral plates dark brown. Ventral and lateral plates lightly clothed 

 with short brown hairs. Caudal appendages (1.4 mm. long) very slender. 



Second stage. — Form similar to first stage. Average length of six specimens 17.7 

 mm., width 4.2 mm. Caudal appendages straight and rather blunt at apex. Color 

 similar to first stage, but of somewhat lighter shade in the specimen studied. 



Third stage (PI. XVII, G). — Rather long, slender larva. Average length of six alco- 

 holic specimens 25.5 mm., width 5.2 mm. Caudal appendages rather short (1.4 mm.), 

 stout, slightly curved in center. Each appendage bearing stout dorsal protuberance 

 on the middle. Appendages taper to a long point beyond dorsal protuberance. Color 

 dull to shining black above, brown below. Ventral plates rather thickly set with 

 hairs and regular in outline. Anterior ventral plates of abdominal segments 2 to 7 





