60 



BULLETIN 417, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Twelve larvae in Table 14 lived to pupate and two died when full 

 grown. The average date that the larvae hatched was June 4, and 

 the average date they ceased feeding June 30, so that the active feed- 

 ing and growing period extended over 26 days. The average num- 

 ber of fourth to sixth stage caterpillars of Malacosoma americana and 

 Porthetria dispar caterpillars required by each larva to complete its 

 growth was 16. 



HABITS OF THE LARVAE. 



Several larvae were tested as to their inclination and ability to 

 chmb trees in search of food. (PI. III.) 



June 9, 1911, three larvae less than 24 hours old were placed on the 

 surface of the earth within the tin circle. Two of the larvae were 

 repeatedly placed upon the bark of the tree, where they crawled for 

 one or two minutes, in and out of the smallest crevices, and then fell 

 to the ground. They did not climb as much as 2 inches either up 

 or down the tree before falling. 



The experiments were continued until June 30 with first and second 

 stage larvae and observations made once or twice each day. The 

 larvae in neither of the two stages were observed at any time attempt- 

 ing to climb on their own initiative. There was no evidence of their 

 ever having entered the food cage during the continuation of the 

 experiment. No third-stage larvae were tested on account of lack of 

 specimens. 



This species in all stages has habits very similar to C. frigidum. 

 The adults of the latter are commonly found upon trees whereas no 

 reports have come to us of their larvae having been taken in such 

 situations. Some bibliographical references and notes made at the 

 laboratory indicate that adults of C. inquisitor climb for their food 

 while their larvae search for it at or near the ground. 



THE PUPA. 



One female pupa measured 15 mm. in length and 7 mm. in width, 

 and 2 females averaged 15.8 mm. in length and 7.3 mm. hi width. 



Out of 22 feeding records kept in 1910, 7 of the larvae after they 

 ceased feeding were obliging enough to make cavities for pupation 

 at the bottom or side of the jars. This made it possible to make notes 

 on their transformations without disturbing them. In some cases 

 the prepupae were removed from their cavities and placed upon the 

 surface of the earth where their metamorphoses could be observed 

 more easily. Table 15 gives an idea of the dates of the changes 

 from larvae to pupae and the issuance of adults. 



Table 15. — Date of hatching and transformations of larvse and pupae of Calosoma 



inquisitor, 1910. 



No. 



Date eggs 

 hatched. 



Date 



larva? 



ceased 



feeding. 



Date 



pupated. 



Sex. 



Date 

 adults 

 issued . 



In 

 pupal 

 stage. 





1910. 











Days. 



2721-C 



June 1 



June 24 



M 



Female . 



July 14 



(') 



2721-E 



1 



27 



0) 



Female . 



19 



C 1 ) 



2721-G 2 



3 



30 



July 3 



Female . 



12 



9 



2721-M 



3 



Julr 6 



C 1 ) 



Female . 



22 



C 1 ) 



2721-P 



4 



June 29 



July 3 



Male.... 



16 



0) 



2721-R 



5 



...do 



4 



Female . 



15 



11 



2721-U 



5 



June 28 



8 



Male.... 



21 



13 



Not known. 



2 Pupated on surface of earth in jar. 



