46 
while the only specimen of the Anthomyiid (Homalomyia scalaris) 1 which 
was reared was found in the breeding cage with cocoons of Orgyia on 
September 1'G, 1895. Neoglaphyroptera bivittata, a beautiful little black 
and yellow Mycetophilid, was reared in two instances, the first on 
May 28 and the second one April 30, 1896. They were found in the 
breeding cage with cocoons of the Orgyia collected October 15 of the 
previous year. The Diplosis was reared in April, 1896, and again in 
September, 1896, the first time from cocoons collected October 15, 1895, 
and the second time from cocoons collected in July, 1896. 
THE OTHEB INSECTS. 
Among the other insects found feeding upon the tussock-moth cater- 
pillars or reared from their cocoon masses none arc worthy of especial 
mention with the exception, perhaps, of the larva' of J nthrenus varius. 
These larva* were found constantly in the old cocoon masses of the 
( )i gvia and under the batches of eggs whicli had already hatched, 
where they were engaged in feeding upon the dry remains of pupa' 
and eggs. This is quite in accordance with the known habits of this 
insect. Its frequent occurrence in the v\xg masses led us to surmise 
that it might be found to feed upon the living eggs, and thus become a 
true enemy of the tussock moth. Predatory habits begin in this way. 
This surmise was proved to be correct in February, 1897. Mr. Busck, 
who had been instructed to watch carefully all egg masses whicli he 
should observe out of doors, with this object in view, brought in, Feb- 
ruary 14, two egg masses which had evidently been eaten by some 
insect. Both egg masses were eaten on one side of the surface. One 
was eaten into from the under side, and in the hole was a cast skin of 
the larva of a Trogoderma, presumably T. tarsale. These egg masses 
were carefully examined, since it was suggested that simply the frothy 
secretion might have been fed upon, but eggs were found which had 
been half eaten, and examination of the other eggs in the mass showed 
that they were unhatched and living. Later, on the same day, Mr. 
Busck was sent out for additional material, and succeeded in finding a 
spot where the egg masses were numerous and collected 50 or more 
larva' of Anthrenus varius and Trofjodermtt tarsale hidden among the 
egg masses. These were brought in and kept under observation in con- 
finement. It was soon proved beyond all doubt that they eat sound 
eggs of the tussock moth with avidity, and certainly just as readily as 
they eat dead animal matter, which was given them at the same time. 
We have thus the beginning of what may ultimately prove to be a very 
beneficial predatory habit on the part of these Dermestid larva?. The 
only record known to us of a true predatory habit on the part of a Der- 
mestid larva is published by A. Kuwert in the Stettiner Entomolo- 
gische Zeitung for 1871, page 305, where it is stated that the larvae of 
^his species is common to Europe aud North America. In Europe its larva has 
been found in human excrement. 
