46. Mentum bearing a shieldlike plate; labial palpi absent 
or rudimentary; feeding in the seeds of plants 
Bruchidae 
Mentum without such plate; labial palpi rarely lack- 
TPG) eee Rh ee operant a IE OR Fa ca Hee ee OGL Chrysomelidae 
47. Adults usually associated with the larvae and boring 
characteristic galleries in the wood or under the bark 
of shrubs, trees, or lumber...... Platypodidae, Scolytidae 
larvae and adults not so associated (220°... 3 ake 
48. Abdominal segments with 2‘ transverse folds; larvae 
often found in a compacted roll cut from a leaf 
Curculionidae 
Abdominal segments with 3 or 4 transverse folds ......—s-—- 49) 
49, Larvae boring in the moist sapwood of dead trees or 
occasionally in beams of buildings, powder-posting the 
FVCRCC Tel el ieaeeees ee het ae ee Bw Curculionidae 
Habits of larvae variable; not working like powder-post 
WeCCilCSmerr oe ee ee Curculionidae 
FAMILY CARABIDAE 
GROUND BEETLES 
This is a large family, containing hundreds of species, nearly 
all predaceous on other insects. There is considerable variation 
among species in size, shape, and color, but most of them are 
dark, shiny, and somewhat flattened. They are commonly found 
under stones, logs, leaves, debris, or bark, or running about on 
the ground. The larvae of bark-inhabiting species are white and 
thin-textured, and the legs are five-jointed with a movable claw or 
pair of claws on the fifth joint. 
A number of species in the genus Calosoma Weber are impor- 
tant predators of tree-defoliating lepidopterous larvae. The adults 
are brilliantly colored, are about 25 mm. long, and emit a disa- 
greeable odor when handled or disturbed. 
Calosoma sycophanta (L.), a large bluish-black species with 
golden-green elytra, and from 24 to 30 mm. long, (fig. 34) was 
introduced from Europe against the gypsy moth in 1906. It be- 
came established rather quickly and has since spread over most 
of the gypsy moth infested area and beyond. Both the adults and 
larvae climb trees and feed voraciously on the larvae and pupae of 
their hosts. Large gypsy moth larvae and pupae are especially 
attractive, but they will also feed on many other species of insects. 
Adult beetles spend the winter in the ground and emerge about 
June 1. Eggs are laid in the ground, and when the larvae hatch, 
they climb trees in search of food. When they become full-grown, 
they return to the ground to pupate. Adults live up to 4 years. 
Populations of this species tend to increase rapidly during gypsy 
moth outbreaks (122). 
Several native species of Calosoma also feed on lepidopterous 
larvae and pupae, sawflies, and other insects in the Eastern States. 
C. frigidum Kirby, C. willcoxi LeC., C. scrutator (Fab.), and 
C. calidum (Fab.) (fig. 35) are widely distributed in the region. 
Many other members of the family are also associated with 
insects attacking trees. Chlaenius erythropus Germ., Dicaelus 
purpuratus Bon., Agonum spp., and Tachys spp. are frequently 
Ly 
