S B ^/^W UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BULLETIN No. 967 '&• . _ •»; Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology L. O. HOWARD, Chief Washington, D. C. PROFESSIONAL PAPER October 14, 1921 RESULTS OF WORK ON BLISTER BEETLES IN KANSAS. y F.rB. Milliken, Scientific Assistant, Truck-Crop insect Investigations. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 1 Economic importance 2 Injury to crops 3 Food plants 3 Classification of species studied 4 Description of Meloe sp ., 4 Description of Cantharis reticu- lata Say 5 Key to species of Epicauta and Macrobasis collected at Garden City, Kans 5 Character of additional data on Mac- robasis and Epicauta 7 Ri suits of work on Macrobasis 7 Descriptive 7 Macrobasis immacitlata Say 7 Macrobasis unicolor Kirby Life history and habits 10 Macrobasis immaculata Say 10 Macrobasis unicolor Kirby ]2 Page. Results of work on Epicauta 12 Descriptive 12 Epicauta maculata Say 12 Epicauta cinerea Forst 13 Epicauta scricans Lee 14 Epicauta prnnsylranica De G__ 15 Life history and habits 15 Epicauta maculata Say 15 Epicauta cinerea Forst 16 Epicauta sericans Lee 17 Epicauta prnnsylranica De G__ 17 Irregular development 17 Control measures 21 Effect of arsenicals, contact insec- ticides, and repellents 21 ( ontrol measures in infested fields- 2.3 Driving 25 Summary of control measures , 25 INTRODUCTION. In the drier portions of western Kansas and adjoining States the insect fauna is particularly rich in blister, beetles. Besides those of common occurrence elsewhere there are several species that are char- acteristic of the region. The native grasshoppers develop regularly in considerable numbers, thus insuring sustenance for some, at least, of the blister-beetle larvae. The beetles feed on native legumes and other plants that root deeply and make some growth even when cultivated crops and shallow-rooted weeds die of drought. The abundance of blister beetles in this region was noted by early entomologists, mostly systematists, who chanced through the western and southwestern United States ; but it remained for Dr. C. V. Riley, 48562°— 21 1 2 BULLETIN 967, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. while entomologist of Missouri, to work out the first life histories of American species, and later as a member of the IT. S. Entomological Commission to extend his researches in this line. Riley studied only species of general occurrence and only two of them to completion, yet he announced as his opinion that the life histories of other species would be found strictly parallel to these. With the subsidence of outbreaks of the Rocky Mountain grass- hopper (Melanoplus spretus Uhler), the Commission directed its attention to the more pressing problems of thickly settled portions of the country. The writer knows of no further study of the eco- nomic relations or biology of American species of this group. The data on blister beetles that form the basis of this bulletin were collected, except as otherwise specified, since 1913. From March, 1913, to May, 1915, inclusive, the work was conducted at Garden City, Kans. From June, 1915. to June. 1917, inclusive, it was continued at Wichita, Kans. As the beetles do not occur there in sufficient numbers to supply the necessary material, work on con- trol measures was dropped, and only such life-history work was con- ducted as was possible with material collected on infrequent trips at irregular intervals to western Kansas. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. There has been a tendency among entomologists to class the west- ern species of blister beetles as beneficial. This arises from the fact that their larvae feed on the eggs of grasshoppers, from the ravages of which the early agriculture of the plains region suffered im- mensely. However, the species of grasshopper responsible for a large share of the injury, and the one that stands to-day an insect bogy to those of limited entomological knowledge, has disappeared from the scenes of its former activity so completely that specimens of it are curiosities to the new generation of entomologists. Only since the agricultural possibilities of the semiarid regions have been developed along diverse lines has it been possible to form a true estimate of the economic status of blister beetles. The pres- ence of extensive acreages of sugar beet, alfalfa, beans, and peanuts has allowed them to exhibit to the full their propensity as crop de- stroyers. The cultivation of large areas and the close pasturage of a great deal more have also altered the flora and environment to such an extent that the former equilibrium of the insect fauna has been disturbed. Cultivation has insured a much more extensive food supply for grasshoppers, and they have become distributed ac- cordingly; but much of this increase in the food of grasshoppers has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in food suit- able for the adult blister beetles. The latter have, therefore, been i —horn LIBRARY OF CONGRI83 ocratimi DOCUMENT** DIVISION ■JiMiiiiBrtiti—inaiiirrT SB** 5 " BLISTER BEETLES IX KANSAS. unable to spread so widely. Pasturage or other disturbance inci- dent to the agricultural use of the land has proved a greater detri- ment to the blister beetles than to the grasshoppers. Even in locali- ties where blister beetles are most abundant repressive measures for grasshoppers have been found necessary. Also, where blister-beetle larvae infest a large percentage of the grasshopper egg capsules, they must destroy many larvae of the beefly Anastoechus nitidulis Fab., and of the hymenopterous egg parasite Scelio monticola Brues, neither of which is known to be injurious in any stage. The larvae of the beefly destroy a great many more grasshopper eggs than the larva? of the blister beetles, but are helpless against the latter when they enter the same egg capsules. It is questionable whether blister-beetle larvae have ever been suf- ficiently beneficial to offset the damage done by the adults. Cer- tainly they are now relatively of much less value than formerly. The group, therefore, must be considered injurious and will be- come more so with continued agricultural development of the semi- arid sections. INJURY TO CROPS. Blister beetles may devour only the petals and pollen of the flowers. They usually do this on beans, peanuts, and locust trees, and largely on alfalfa. On Irish potatoes, sugar beets, and to a lesser extent on the Russian olive, however, they commonly de- foliate the plant. In either case the actual injury to the crop depends on the stage of growth which the plants have reached. When they are near maturity the yield is lessened, but the crop is not a total loss. Unless drought prevails at the time of defoliation, sugar beets usu- ally put forth new leaves and continue their growth, but the effect of defoliation is recorded in decreased tonnage or sugar content, or both. A defoliation of Irish potato is usually disastrous, as is also the destruction of the blossoms of beans and of peanuts. FOOD PLANTS. Leaf-feeding insects, like the blister beetles, could not become as numerous in the semiarid regions as they do without the presence of some hardy native plant upon which they can feed during drought. At Garden City, Kans., the beetles feed upon the blossoms of the sunflower (Helianthus spp.), the goldenrod (Solidago spp.), the leaves and flowers of the few-flowered psoralea or scurvy pea (Pso- ralea tenuiftora) , and on other prairie legumes. They also feed ex- tensively on an introduced weed, the ground burnut (Tribulus ter- restris). The cultivated plants which they attack most extensively are the Irish potato {Solanum tuberosum) , the sugar and garden beets {Beta BULLETIN *. MJT , U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. vulgaris), alfalfa (Medieago satwa), the garden bean (Phaseolw spp.), the peanut {Arachis) hypogaea), and sweet clover (Jlelilotus alba). The writer has not noticed them feeding- much on other plants, but references to literature show that they attack a great variety of vegetation. As the beetles emerge they begin feeding on such plants as they find near by. Later they are driven to cultivated plants, because drought has killed the weeds or because they need a more abundant and continuous food supply to support them in their gregarious habits. CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES STUDIED. The blister beetles belong to the coleopterous family Meloidae, the members of which contain in their bodies a substance that blisters when extracted and applied to the skin. Both subfamilies. Meloinae and Cantharinae, are represented in these studies, though only one genus of Meloinae was identified. This was Meloe, about 30 specimens of an undetermined species of which were collected (Chttn. No. 2507). All of these were found along a short piece of roadway which was flanked on ope side by a field of wheat and on the other by a weedy prairie pasture. The species may have been only recently introduced in this locality, as it was but a few rods from the bank of a main irrigation ditch which comes directly from the Arkansas River. It was not to be found elsewhere at Garden City. Specimens were secured April 24, May 7, and May 19, 1914. On May 7 one pair was taken in copula, but no eggs were secured. The immature stages were not observed, nor were the beetles seen feeding except on the young Russian thistle. Description of Meloe sp. Anri/r. Near afer Bland, or barbarus Lee. (Chttn. No. 2507) : Length, S to 12.5 mm. : width. 3 to 4 mm.; elytra diverging, truncated, the body being widest across the abdomen near their tips; color black; rough and feebly shining. (Fig. 1.) Of the subfamily Cantharinae, two tribes, Nemognathini and Cantharini, were represented. The specimens of Nemognathini were identified as belonging to one genus and three species, N cmognatha lurida Lee, N. bicolor Lee, and X. piezata Fab. They were intermingling freely on blossoms of Fig. l. — Meloe afer: Adult. Enlarged. BLISTER BEETLES IX KANSAS. the bull-thistle (Cirsiwm htnceolatum) and on account of their inter- grading color patterns could easily have been referred to a single species. They were not observed in any injurious connection, and their immature stages were not found. The tribe Cantharini was represented by three genera — Macrobasis, Epicauta, and Cantharis. To Macrobasis and Epicauta belong the injurious species occurring at Garden City, Kans., and they are treated at length in this paper. Of the genus Cantharis only one species was identified, Cantharis reticulata Say, of which a very few specimens were collected. They are sufficient for only a brief description. Description or Cantharis reticulata Say. Adult. Length, about 15 to 25 mm. ; width, about 4.5 to 7 mm. ; color black, except antennae and legs, which are dark brown. Elytra irregularly ridged, hence the name; head, thorax, and abdomen pitted and sparsely haired ; legs thickly haired. (Fig. 2.) The adults were taken on the bush morning-glory {Ipomoea leptophylla) , excepting one which was found on alfalfa. Besides Cantharis reticulata, the tribe Cantharini is represented at Garden City b} 7 at least 15 species, of which four belong to the genus Macrobasis and 11 to Epicauta. For the purposes of this paper the generic and specific distinctions are sufficiently set forth b}- the key, which has been adapted from Horn with the assistance of H. S. Barber, of the United States National Museum. KEY TO SPECIES OF EPICAUTA AND MACROBASIS COLLECTED AT GARDEN CITY, KANS. A. Second joint of antennae at least half as long as third Macrobasis. a. Black with posterior margins of abdominal segments gray. M. segmentata Say. aa. Gray, yellowish, or brownish, unicolorous or with markings. b. Prothorax usually with two longitudinal black stripes; elytra usually concolorous, sometimes with submarginal black stripes; basal joints of antenna? brown (fig. 3) M. albida Say. bb. Unicolorous. c. First joint of antennae as long as or longer than the sec- ond and third together. In the male it reaches to the occiput, and the second is at least twice as long and twice as thick as the third \t . un-icolor Kirby. cc. First joint of antennae similar in sexes, second joint shorter than third il/. immaculata Say. Fi< -'. — Cantharis reticulata : Adult. Enlarged. 6 BULLETIN 967, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. AA. Second joint of antennae less than half as long as third Epicauta. a. Antennal joints elongate, loosely united, b. Unicolorous. c. Gray or yellowish E. cinerea Forst. cc. Black. d. Large, 25 to 30 inm. long E. corvina "Lee. dd. Less than 20 mm. long. e. Spurs of hind tibia stout, cylindrical ; length 12 to 20 mm. (fig. 4) E. funebris Horn. ee. Spurs of hind tibia slender, acute at tip and unlike, the outer spur being broader ; length 8.5 to 14 mm E. Pennsylvania* DeG. Fig. 3. — The two - spotted blister beetle (Macrobasi* albida) : Adult, striped Fig. 4. — Epioauta funebris: variation. Enlarged. Adult. Enlarged. bb. Variegated. c. Gray or yellowish with black markings. d. With three longitudinal black stripes on each elytron E. lenmitscata Fab. dd. Spotted with black. e. Spots minute, scattering E. moculata Say. ee. Spots larger, crowded, sometimes coalescent. E. partialis Lee. cc. Black, elytra and prothorax margined with gray, and median line of prothorax gray E. marginata Fab. aa. Antennal joints short, closely united. b. Pronotum with pair of bare, smooth, black areas ; color reddish or grayish brown E. eallosa Lee. bb. Pronotum unmarked. c. Surface of pronotum moderately shining under vesti- ture E. ferruginea Say. cc. Surface of pronotum opaque E. sericans Lee. The only distinction between Macrobasis and Epicauta is in the relative length of the second segment of the antennae (figs. 5, 6). In BLISTER BEETLES IX KANSAS. 7 Macrobasis it is at least half as long as the third and usually more. In Epicauta it is less than half as long as the third. The four species of Macrobasis are easily dis- tinguished, and no well-marked varieties in a c _ ; p3 3=e;:;;:K:K; ^ species were observed. But there is great variation in the shade of color, especially in FlG - 5 v T ^ e s P° r tless I blis ' L « ter beetle (Macrobasts M. immaculata, and in the extent of the black immacuiata) : Antenna submarginal stripes on the elytra in M. albida. of male - Much en ~ These stripes next the outer and the inner margin of each elytron, if present, may extend so far as to unite at the distal end, forming a U that opens anteriorly. The black stripes on the prothorax may sometimes ■ ==S::: =ac= c=;c=;c ^^ be lacking, but so rarely that it was not noted in the key. Fig. 6. — Epicauta corvina: » • ■, , ■, n -m • j_ Antenna. Much enlarged. As mi 8'ht be expected, Since Epicauta IS SO much more richly represented than Macro- basis, it has greater variation within its species: also the separation of the species is much more difficult. CHARACTER OF ADDITIONAL DATA ON MACROBASIS AND EPICAUTA. In the rearing work eggs of several species were secured in con- finement and hatched, giving authentic eggs and triungulins. No larvae have been carried through the growing stages. Attempts to do so were thwarted by the high percentage of parasitism which existed among grasshopper egg-capsules that were collected for the purpose, and the writer was unable to secure eggs of grasshoppers by confining them. Coarctate larva? were collected and kept under ob- servation during the succeeding transformations. These yielded authentic material for the identification and description of the later stages. In presenting the data relating to each genus the species on which they are most nearly complete will be considered first. RESULTS OF WORK ON MACROBASIS. descriptive. Macrobasis immaculata Say. Adult. Macrobasis immaculata is among the largest blister beetles found in Kansas. A number taken at Garden City averaged 17.5 mm. long by 4.5 mm. wide. Blatchley gives tbe limits of its variation in length as 13 to 23 mm. Color gray to light reddish brown. According to Blatchley, the sexes are distinguished by the third antennal joint in the male being longer than the second, but in the female of only equal len.sth or shorter. BULLETIN 967, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Egg. Length, 1.5 mm. ; width, 0.5 mm. ; shape almost cylindrical, but tapering slightly toward the posterior end ; color translucent yellowish white. Larva. Triungulin (fig. 7). — Length, 2.7 mm.; width, 0.5 mm. through the head; shape elongate triangular, tapering gradually to the posterior end, which is bluntly rounded ; color yellow or light brown, with lighter bands on the parts of segments that fold against one another when the body contracts in length ; legs 3-jointed, strong ; claws three in number (hence the name triungulin), slender, the two outer ones spinelike; eyes apparently only pigmented spots behind the antennae on the anterior part of and near the outer margins of the head ; mandibles flat, sickle-shaped, strong, with notched inner margins ; antenna? apparently 3-jointed, the third joint divided with the dorsal portion the larger and bearing several spinose hairs ; spiracles 9 in number and located above the lateral margins ; armature of abdomen consisting of spinose hairs, about 10 in a transverse row near the posterior margin of each segment, and about 6 in a row nearer the anterior margin, those in each row so placed as to be in rows with corresponding hairs on the other abdominal seg- ments ; anal segment with two diverging hairs one- fourth to one-third length of body, projecting poste- riorly from above its tip; hairs also regularly placed on thorax, head, and upper and outer surfaces of mandibles ; legs with stiff hairs projecting per- pendicularly on the femur but appressed on the tibia. Carabidoid and scarabaeidoid larvw. — Descriptions of these stages could not be secured from authentic specimens, as they were not reared. Collected larvse that were thought to be in these stages Avere similar to those figured by Riley * for Epicauta vittata. Coarctate larva (fig. 8). — Length, 11.5 to 13.5 mm. ; width, 4.5 to 6.5 mm. ; shape elongate hemispherical, resembling the half of a peanut kernel if the ends of the latter were bent toward its flat side and its edges thickened ; color reddish brown ; entirely inactive, the skin rigid; location of ap- pendages shown by tubercular projections; limits of head shown by a constriction near the anterior end ; segmentation of body plainly shown dorsally but less distinct ventrally ; spiracles in shallow depressed line above the thickened edges. Third larva. — Measurements difficult to make, though greater than for the coarctate larva ; color white ; shape robust, fleshy, and much wrinkled, larva Fig. 7. — Macrobasis im- maculate- Triungulin. CL a. Fig. 8. — Macrobasis immaculata, co- arctate larva : f Adult. As the time for emer- gence approaches, the tips of the appendages begin to darken. The coloration spreads gradually through- out the appendages and into the body. Several days before the emergence of the adults twitching moA 7 ements begin in the tarsi. These become more vigorous toward the end of Fig. 11. — Pupa of blister beetle in situ in cell. the pupal period, finally involving the legs and oral appendages. During its struggles the beetle rights itself and explores the narrow confines of its chamber. A thin, transparent, parchment-like mem- brane loosens on the surface of its body and is torn beyond recogni- tion by the sharp tarsal claws. Adults from pupae that have formed against the walls of glass containers have remained in the cells for several days after transformation before digging to the surface. Whether or not such is the case when light is excluded was not determined. Macrobasis ttnicolor Kirby. The data secured on Macrobasis unicolor add nothing to the general account given for Macrobasis immacvZata. The third larvae have been collected by April 15, and eight specimens secured by that time had yielded the adults by May 30. The data on M. uni- color indicate that it, also, hibernates as coarc- tate larva. RESULTS OF WORK ON EPICAUTA. descriptive. Epicauta maculata Say. Adult. Adult specimens of Epicauta maculata (fig. 12) varied from 10 min. long by 2.25 mm. wide to 13 mm. long by 3.5 mm. wide, which makes it one of the Fig. 12. — The spotted blis- ter beetle (E picaut a macula t a). Enlarged. (Chittenden.) BLISTEB BEETLES IX KANSAS. 13 smallest of cur common blister beetles. The color may be either light gray or yellowish, with scattered naked spots of the black background. The black spots vary both in size and location, being barely dis- cernible on some beetles and at least 0.3 mm. in di- N^ ameter on others. n. Egg. The egg of this species resembles that of M- basis immaculata, but is smaller. Larva. Triungulin (tig. 13). — Length, about 1.25 mm.: width, about 0.4 mm. ; widest in front of middle of head just behind eyes, from which point the head tapers posteriorly for the last half or more of its length. In this respect it agrees with triungulins of Epicauta pennsylvanica and E. lenmiscata, 3 but dif- fers from Riley's figure of ;■:. vittata* The head of the latter is parallel-sided, resembling Macrobasis immaculata, but differing in having a very short pos- terior portion or neck and in having the eyes located about the middle of the length of the head. In all triungulins examined by the writer the eyes are located much nearer the anterior portion of the head. In other respects the triungulin of this species re- sembles that of Macrobasis immaculata (p. S). Active larva'. — Neither the growing stages nor the third larva were recognized so they could be described. Coarctate larva. — The writer's records show one coarctate larva that measured !> mm. long by 4 mm. wide which yielded an adult of this species. Pupa. Pig. 18. — Epicauta macu- la tu: Triungulin. En- larged. Fig. 14.— Epicauta cine- yea: Adult. (Chitten- den.) The pupa of this species was not described for lack of authentic material. It is similar in color and ap- pearance to that of Macrobasis immaculata, but much smaller. Epicauta cinerea Forst. Adult. Length of adult Epicauta cincrca (tig. 14), from S to 17 mm.; width, 1.75 to 4 mm.; shape slender, with sides of elytra almost parallel; color, bluish to light or yellowish gray. Egg and Active Larva. Neither the egg nor any of the active larval stages of this species were secured for descriptive purposes. 3 Triungulins of this species were kindly furnished by Mr. Thos. II. Tones of the Bureau of Entomology. 4 Riley, C. V., Packard, A. S.. and Thomas, Cyrus, op. cit., PI. IV. fls. 2. 14 BULLETIN 967, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. COAKCTATE LABVA. Length of coarctate larva (fig. 15), 7.45 mm.; width, 4.0S mm.; 28 specimens varied in length from G.25 to 9 mm. and in width from 3.25 to 5 mm. Shape much more robust than that of the coarctate larva of any other species thus far Fig. 15. — The jray blister beetle (Epicauta cinerea) larva ; b, third larva; c, pupa. a, Scarabaeidoid secured, being almost straight longitudinally on the venter and without the angular lateral ridges, thus leaving them almost circular in abdominal cross section ; color a rich reddish brown, darker than any other species with which Ihe writer has worked. Pupa. The single pupa (fig. 16, c) of this species which was measured had a length of 12 mm. a b Fig. 10. — Epicauta cinerea: a, Coarctate larva, lateral view ; b, coarctate larva, ventral view. Fig. 17. -Epicauta sericans: Adult. Enlarged. and a width of 4 mm. In shape, color, and general appearance it resemhles the pupa of Macrobasis immaculata, but is not so large. Epicauta sericans Lec. Adult. Of 29 adult specimens of Epicauta sericans (fig. 17) the variation in length was from 9.5 to 13 mm., with an average of 10.8 mm. ; color, light reddish brown through yellow and gray to almost silvery ; antennas reaching to the elytra, the segments except the second being nearly as broad as long. The second segment is nearly twice as long as thick ; sides of elytra nearly parallel. BLISTER BEETLES IN KANSAS. 15 Egg and Young Larva. The egg has not been secured or the growing stages of the larva recognized. COABCTATE LAKVA. The average of 10 coarctate larvae was 6.875 mm. in length by 3.8 mm. in width. They are reddish brown, but not so dark as those of E. cinerca. and the lateral ridges are present and distinctly angular. Tuna) Larva. The third larva? are 7 to 8 mm. long by 2.5 to .'5.5 nun. wide. In shape, color, and general appear- ance they resemble those of Macrobasis itnmaculata. Pupa. A description of the pupa has never been secured. EPICAUTA PENNSYLVANIA De G. Adult. Epicauta pennsytvanica (tig. 18) is the smallest of the black blister beetles that occur in Kansas. Of 18 specimens, the length varied from 8.5 to 14 mm., averaging 10.3 mm., and the width from 2 to 4 mm., averaging 2.SS mm. ; shape rather slender ; color dull black. Egg. Fig. IS. — The black blis- ter beetle (Epioauta pennsylvanica) : Adult. Enlarged. (Chittenden.) The egg resembles that of Macrobasis immaculata, but is much smaller. Triungulin Larva. Length of triungulin larva (tig. 19) about 1.3 mm.; width about 0.3 mm., widest through the head about midway of its length, which is just behind the eyes, and tapering to the prothorax, into which it telescopes slightly ; color, brownish yellow, translucent. In shape and general appearance it resembles the triungulin of Macrobasis immaculata. None of the other larval stages have been secured, even the coarctate larva of this species having escaped recognition. life history and habits. Epicauta maculata Say. Oviposition. While on the staff of the Kansas Experiment Station the writer observed oviposition by a fe- male of Epicauta macul-ata, as well as by a female of Macrobasis in i maculata. Both were working at the same time, being discovered only a few yards apart in the edge of a field. The process was identical with both females, lasting from before 3.30 p. m. until after 6 p. m., as described under M. immaculata. The cavities to receive^ the eggs were made exactly alike — bell-shaped, with the flaring end down and the eggs reposing in a further depression at the center of the bottom of but the cavity made by E. maculata was only about 1 inch ■Epicauta anica: Tri- Enlarged. the bell 16 BULLETIN 967, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. deep, as compared with 1 1 inches for the other. Several hundred eggs were in each nest. In confinement eggs have been secured from July 27 to September 22. Confined females lose their instinct for careful oviposition, placing their eggs under a clod or leaf, or scattering them about on the surface without covering. Incubation. Incubation proceeds as described for Maerobasis immaculata. Eggs secured July 31 hatched August 18, and others deposited Au- gust 1 hatched August 22, giving an incubation period of from 18 to 21 days. Habits and Growth of Larva. The newly hatched larva? soon become active. Their activities parallel those described for the triungulin of Maerobasis immaculata. The coarctate larva? are found near the surface, being but little deeper than the lower ends of the grasshopper egg capsules. Many are taken directly from the capsules. In confinement one third-stage larva appeared on May 6, the pupa was fully formed on May 12, and the adult came forth on May 25. The adults appear in numbers earlier than those of any other species of Cantharini taken in this region, this fact being corroborated by field observations. Since eggs were secured on September 27 it is evident that the adults occur throughout the summer. Epicauta cinerea Forst. Oviposition by Epicauta cinerea has never been observed, nor have the habits of the larvae preceding the coarctate been studied. The coarctate larva? have been collected at all seasons of the year and wherever grasshopper eggs are to be found. They occur from 2 to 5 inches below the surface in nearly upright cells, in w T hich the larva? are disposed as described for Maerobasis immaculata. The earliest date at which third larva? have been collected was between April 12 and April 16. They are frequently found during the last week in May. According to the writer's records the earliest pupation in confine- ment occurred May 8 ; but an adult for which the pupation was not recorded emerged on the same date, thus indicating pupation at least 10 days earlier. Other transformations follow rapidly and continue through the summer. From the dates recorded for the transformation of this species it would seem that its appearance in the field should precede that of Epicauta ?naculata, which, as stated above, is the earliest to appear of the Cantharini of this region. The apparent contradiction is reconciled by the occurrence of most of the coarctate larvae at greater depths than those of E. maculata, BLISTER BEETLES IX KANSAS. 17 which prevents the reception of sufficient heat to start activity earl}' in the season. Only those individuals of E. cinerea that are near the surface appear with the main brood of E. maculata. Epicauta sericaxs Lec. Adults of Epicauta seHcans have been collected from June 6 to September 11. They are commonly found feeding in flowers on many kinds of plants, often being taken on sunflower (Ilelianthus spp.), other Composite?, the scurvy pea (Psora-lea tenuiffora), alfalfa, peanuts, and other cultivated legumes. The eggs have not been secured or the growing stages recognized. The coarctate larva? have been collected during the fall, winter, and spring, and emergence begins early in June. For these reasons this species is believed to develop normally one generation annually, hibernating as coarctate larva ; but instances of retarded develop- ment have occurred, and these are considered under the proper heading. Epicauta pexxsyevanica De G. The adults of the small black blister beetle have been collected at Garden City, Kans., from August IT to November 11. At the latter date about half the adults had died, and the remainder were so stiff from cold that they could not cling to vegetation. The} 7 were first found on blossoms of the goldenrod (SoUdago spp.). but later fed on the blossoms of the many-flowered aster (Aster ?nultiflora), alfalfa, and a few other plants. Eggs were not found in the field, but were secured from adults confined on earth in a battery jar. On October 20 a cluster of 363 was deposited about half an inch below the surface. The eggs hatched on November 15, which was too late for development to proceed. This agrees with Riley's state- ment 3 that the species evidently hibernates as the triungulin. IRREGULAR DEVELOPMENT. During the progress of these investigations some marked varia- tions were observed in the time required for development. Of active, grown larva? collected at Garden City, Kans., during the period from April 12 to 16, 1916. three transformed to coarctate larva? of Epicauta cinerea by May 7. When examined again on May 29 they were found dead as third larva?, having perished from lack of moisture. Under the circumstances it is impossible to say whether these specimens were mature scarabaeidoid or the third larva? when collected. Most specimens of Epicauta. cinerea that have 5 Riley, C. V.. Packard A. S., and Thomas, Cyrus. Op cit., p. 301. 18 BULLETIN 967, V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE been reared came from coarctate larvae that were collected during the fall and winter. Seven mature coarctate larvae of one type, collected during the winter of 1913-14 were placed on soil in a perforated tin box. Dur- ing the summer the box was buried in the insectary at a depth of about 2 inches and forgotten. The writer chanced upon it again November 25, 1914, finding in it six coarctate larvae, one dead third larva, and seven cast coarctate skins. Only one explanation is pos- sible. The coarctate larva? all transformed to the third larvae, and six of them reverted to the coarctate condition again. The seventh perished. On May 30, 1915, the six coarctate larvae were separated into two lots of three each. One lot was placed in dry earth, the other in damp earth. The former showed no signs of activity. Of those in moist earth, one had de- cayed by July 2, another had transformed to third larva, and the third specimen remained unchanged and apparently healthy. The third larva continued its transformations, and on July 24 yielded an adult of Epicauta xericans. The four unchanged coarctate larvae were stored in dry soil until the spring of 1916. Upon being moistened they decayed at once. A coarctate larva obtained during the winter of 1913-14 did not yield the adult until July 7, 1915. This proved to be Macrobasls immaculata. Riley ° reports cases of retarded development in Epicauta vittata (figs. 20, 21). From the same batch of eggs he had beetles mature Fig. 20. — Striped blister beetle i Kpicauta rit- tiila) :