METHODS OF PACKING BEETLES FOR SHIPMENT. 9 



habits. Some of these studies have shown very interesting results, 

 which it is hoped may be published later. 



Four hundred and five specimens of C. sycophanta were received 

 in 1909, and in addition 25 larvae of this species arrived in boxes with 

 parasitized gipsy moth material. Specimens of other carabids were 

 also sent in limited numbers. 



During the summer of 1910, 1,305 living specimens of Calosoma 

 sycophanta were received from Miss Kuhl and several shipments of 

 miscellaneous species of Carabus came from the same source. For 

 the first time since the work was begun specimens of Calosoma and 

 allied genera were received from Japan. A very few individuals 

 reached the laboratory in healthy condition, and these were used for 

 rearing work. 



The following table gives the number of live specimens of O. syco- 

 phanta received since the work began. 



Table I. — Number of live specimens of Calosoma sycophanta received in Massachusetts, 



1905 to 1910. 



Year. 



Number 

 received. 



Year. 



Number 

 received. 



1905 



1 

 693 



967 

 675 



1909 



405 



1906 



1910 



Total 



1,305 



1907 



1908 



4, 046 









Sixty-seven per cent of these beetles were liberated in field colonies 

 and the balance was used for experimental and reproduction work. 



METHODS OF PACKING PREDACEOUS BEETLES FOR SHIPMENT. 



Considerable difficulty is always experienced in shipping living 

 insects long distances, especially if it is necessary to collect and for- 

 ward them when they are active, and also if they must reach their 

 destination in season to feed and reproduce without serious inter- 

 ruption. Species that can be packed when dormant can be easily 

 transferred from one place to another, but it has not been found 

 possible to do this with predaceous beetles. 



In 1905, as has already been stated, the beetles imported were 

 packed in tin boxes, and practically all of them died in transit. Two 

 kinds of boxes were used for the purpose. One style (fig. 2) consisted 

 of a tin box 6^ inches wide, 10^ inches long, and 2\ inches deep. It 

 was divided in the center by a partition, and small partitions were sol- 

 dered to it, so as to make 20 compartments. In each of these a beetle 

 was placed, as well as a gipsy-moth caterpillar or pupa. The box was 

 wrapped with stout paper and shipped by mail. On arrival it was 

 found that the beetles had attacked the food placed in the compart- 



