2 BULLETIN 251, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



longing to the family Carabida?. and known to science as Calosoma 

 sycophanta L. (PL I.) This species was collected and shipped to 

 Massachusetts, as a result of arrangements made by Dr. Howard 

 with numerous European collectors of insects, more particularly 

 with Miss Marie Riihl, of Zurich. Switzerland. Several other closely 

 related species of Calosoma were collected and some of these were 

 received in sufficient numbers to permit of colonies being liberated 

 in woodland infested with the gipsy moth. Several species of the 

 allied genus Carabus were obtained and similarly liberated. 



Up to the present time the only species that is known to have 

 maintained itself is Calosoma sycophanta, and this insect has in- 

 creased so enormously as to become an effective enemy of the gipsy 

 moth in this country. 



Table I gives the number of live specimens of Calosoma syco- 

 phanta which have been imported from Europe. Sixty-seven per 

 cent of these beetles were liberated in the field and the balance 

 were used for experimental and reproduction work. All the bene- 

 ficial results secured in the field have accrued from about 4.000 

 beetles noted in the table. 



Table I. — Number of living specimens of Calosoma sycophanta received from 



Europe* 



Year. 



Number 

 received. 



Year. 



Number 

 received. 



1905 -.. 



1 



1909 



405 



1906 



1910 



1.305 



1907 - 967 



1908 - ' 675 



Total 





-1,046 











METHODS OF PACKING BEETLES FOR SHIPMENT. 



Different plans covering the packing of these beetles for shipment 

 were tested during the years above mentioned. The most satisfactory 

 arrangement was to pack the beetles singly in small safety-match 

 boxes which contained a quantity of wet sphagnum moss. These 

 boxes were packed in a larger wooden box (fig. 1). the usual size 

 being 7J by -i by 2| inches. A shipping label was glued to the 

 box. Material packed in this manner was shipped by mail and re- 

 ceived in good condition. Experience has shown that the greatest 

 cause of mortality in shipping these beetles is due to lack of moisture. 

 When sufficient moisture is provided no difficulty is experienced, and 

 it is not necessary to place food of any kind in the boxes. As a rule, 

 these shipments were en route from 10 to 12 days. In case beetles are 

 to be forwarded and will not be in transit more than 2 days, several 

 can be placed in a box and shipped by ordinary mail with very little 

 injury resulting. 



