Fig. 4.
The better known of the two represented here is called Calosoma calidum, Fabr., (fig. 4) or “The Glowing Beautiful-bodied Caterpillar-hunter.” As an exception to the general rule, its English name is more formidable than the Latin; but so important a personage is its bearer that I will not deprive him of a single letter of his title, and indeed am almost tempted to add to it the words “most useful.” It well merits its appellation, Calosoma (Kalos = beautiful, and Soma = a body). Fig. 4 gives a life-size representation of it. The color of the polished elytra or wing-covers is a deep blue-black, and the six rows of dots with which they are adorned are of a fiery burnished red, for which reason it has been called by the specific name of calidum. The legs in our figure are too thick and clumsy, but it must be well known to everyone. It may generally be found in early summer in damp pastures, either hidden under stones or running in the grass in search of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects. Jaeger, who first called the members of this genus caterpillar-hunters, says “they may be found every morning and evening upon the branches of trees, looking out for caterpillars and devouring them.” They do not, however, restrict themselves to caterpillars, for they will attack and devour a perfect June-bug when fresh from the pupa state and soft, with apparently the same relish as their special dainty, a fat Cut-worm. In the larval state they are equally rapacious; they lurk in holes in the ground or under sticks and stones in the day-time, and only leave their retreats as night draws on to go in search of prey. Every spring I have several of these useful and luckily common beetles brought to me by kind friends who have found them in their gardens. To the enquiry, “Is this of any use to you?” I have always the answer ready, which somewhat surprises them: “No, but it is of particular use to you; take it carefully back and put it in your garden again; it is the best friend you have there, for it feeds entirely upon your enemies, the Wire-worms, Cut-worms and White-worms.”
I am sure that through the agency of this beetle alone I have been able to gain more respect for the science of Entomology among horticulturists than from all the rest put together.
Fig. 5.
Much resembling this beetle in shape, but of a very much more striking appearance, is its near relative, Calosoma scrutator, Fabr., the “Beautiful-bodied Searcher,” fig. 5. The color of its wing-covers is bright metallic green, garnished with longitudinal lines and sparsely punctured; round the margin runs an effective line of coppery-red. The head, thorax and legs are almost black; the margin of the thorax having a greenish tinge. The under side is of a deep burnished blue-green hue. Its habits are the same as those of C. calidum, but it is a much rarer insect. I have never seen a live specimen; but they are occasionally found in Ontario, and dead specimens are said to be frequently washed up on the outer shore of Toronto Island after a southerly gale.
Annual Report of the Entomological Society for the Year 1879.—The Annual Report of our Society for the past year is now nearly ready for issue. Members may expect to receive their copies within a few days.