ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 89 



Wells. Subsequent examinations have shown that the places selected 

 for making liberations were not particularly suitable for the purpose, 

 as the infestations were so scattering that a sufficient quantity of 

 food was not available for the development of the larvae. 



Kittery. — On July 24, 1908, 15 Calosoma larvse were liberated near Thaxters Station, 

 under some oak trees upon which were some gipsy moth caterpillars. A wall near 

 the base of these trees had been burned out before the planting was made. Later 

 examinations during the year failed to reveal the presence of the Calosoma beetles 

 and very few gipsy moths remained. 



No beetles have been recovered from this colony. 



July 25, 1908, 25 Calosoma larvse were liberated on a large willow on the grounds of 

 the Portsmouth Navy Yard. This tree was not badly infested, so there evidently 

 was not sufficient food for the larvae. No beetles have since been found in this 

 planting. 



July 31, 1908, 100 Calosoma larvae were liberated on a small island of trees in the 

 salt marsh. Gipsy moth caterpillars and pupae were scarce at this time. Several 

 examinations have been made since that time, but no Calosoma beetles have been 

 recovered.. 



Wells. — On July 25, 1908, 20 Calosoma larvae were liberated around fruit trees 

 infested with the gipsy moth. Caterpillars were scarce on account of the careful 

 handwork that was being done. No beetles have since been recovered. On examin- 

 ing the trees in the summer of 1910, it was not possible to find either the gipsy moth 

 caterpillars or pupae. 



York. — On July 24, 1908, 30 Calosoma larvae were liberated in woodland slightly 

 infested with the gipsy moth. Although several examinations have since been made, 

 no Calosoma beetles have been found. 



COLONY OF CALOSOMA LIBERATED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1 



July 31, 1909, 100 Calosoma larvse -were liberated in woodland 

 near the Sandwich-Tamworth line, which was being defoliated by 

 Heterocampa guttivitta. The gipsy moth had not been found in this 

 region, but it was desired to see whether the Calosoma beetles would 

 feed on Heterocampa and survive the winter. 



An examination was made August 24, 1910, but no Calosoma 

 beetles were found. Heterocampa larvae were very scarce through- 

 out this section of the State. 



ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA. 



The preceding pages show conclusively that this beneficial species, 

 Calosoma sycophanta, is firmly established in eastern Massachusetts. 

 The data also show that although in most cases some traces of the 

 insect's presence have been found the year following planting, it 

 takes three years or more before they are sufficiently abundant to 

 attract attention. 



For this reason the beetles have not been found by many residents 

 of the district infested with the gipsy moth. The question of the 

 part which this insect is destined to play in controlling the gipsy 



1 Molted skins of sycophanta larvse were found in August, 1910, at Plaistow, N. H. The adults must 

 have migrated from some of the Massachusetts colonies. 



