26 CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA. 



Effect op Cold on Eggs. 



As eggs are sometimes laid in August, it seemed desirable to 

 test in a limited way their resistance to cold. Accordingly, on 

 August 8, 1907, a jar containing a single egg in a quantity of earth 

 was placed in cold storage, where the temperature was maintained 

 at 26° F. This jar was packed in a box with several others, a small 

 quantity of excelsior being used between them to prevent breakage 

 and also to permit the contents to cool slowly. On August 22, two 

 weeks later, the jar was removed to the laboratory, but the egg in 

 question did not hatch. 



Another jar, containing earth and two eggs, was placed in cold 

 storage on the same date (August 8), but it was not removed until 

 June 4, 1908, nearly 10 months later. An examination showed 

 that the earth was very dry and the eggs had shriveled up. 



Although few eggs were used in these experiments, the results 

 seem to show that they will not hatch after being subjected to freezing 

 temperatures. 



THE LARVA. 



The larvae on hatching are nearly white, although slightly darker 

 than the eggs. They remain in the chamber in which the egg reposed, 

 and gradually grow darker until they become jet-black. About this 

 time, if the weather is warm, they become active and make their way 

 to the surface of the ground in search of food. The following descrip- 

 tion is made from a comparison of several larvae after they had become 

 fully colored and fed slightly. They molt twice and a brief descrip- 

 tion of each stage is given. 



First-Stage Larva. 



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 mouth parts 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 antennae, palpi, legs, and underside of body 

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

 of body fusiform. Antennae longer than mandibles; maxillary palpi nearly as long 

 as antennae, tapering to tip of last joint; labial palpi stout, last segment cylindrical, 

 truncate; prothorax wider than long. Second abdominal segment as wide as the first, 

 body tapering quite abruptly beyond the fifth abdominal segment. Body provided 

 with rows of lateral and ventral spines. Legs spiny. Caudal appendages bearing a 

 few spines. 



Second-Stage Larva. 



Average length 15.5 mm. Average width 3.4 mm. Much stouter than first-stage 

 larva. Body shining jet-black, mandibles and legs mahogany-brown, mouth parts 

 lighter, nearly honey-yellow, dorsum of last abdominal segment and tip of proleg light 



