SOME NOTES ON THE MARGINED SOLDIER-BEETLE (CHAULIOGNATHUS MARGINATUS)

Extract

Since the larval history of this beetle was published by Walsh in 1868 it has been generally known that the larva is carnivorous, feeding, as Walsh showed, upon the Plum Curculio, and, as I showed, on the Apple Worm among other insects, so that it must be included among our benefical species. The larva is also one of those which is quite often found during the winter months upon the surface of snow. The beetle is one of the most common species during the summer months upon many kinds of flowers, but particularly upon those of Yucca, feeding principally on pollen, but also sipping the slight amount of nectar which is found at the base of the pistil, or the sweetened exudation which is also quite frequent upon the tip of the petiole of the flower after this has dropped.