90 CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA. 



moth is one which must be settled by future developments rather 

 than by prophecy or pure speculation. 



The feeding period of the beetle and its larvae corresponds closely 

 with that of the larval and pupal stages of the gipsy moth, and there- 

 fore there seems to be no good reason why it will not take prominent 

 rank with the true parasites of this insect and assist and supplement 

 their work. 



Its ability to survive and reproduce in New England has been 

 clearly demonstrated when it is stated that as a result of the planting 

 of 13 adult and 14 larval colonies from 1906 to 1908, the presence of 

 the beetle was found over an area of about 9J square miles in the 

 summer of 1909. During that year 3 adult and 29 larval colonies 

 were liberated and in the summer of 1910 the insects were found 

 scattered over about 106^ square miles in Massachusetts. 1 The aggre- 

 gate rate of multiplication and dispersion increases with the age of 

 the colonies. Future observations will show the precise value of this 

 insect as an enemy of the gipsy moth. 



1 Examinations in the early summer of 1911 of the regions where liberations have been made indicate 

 that the beetles have continued to increase ind spread at a very satisfactory rate. 



