BEETLES. 



Of larger species, Ohilocorus bivulnerus is black, nearly hemispherical, with a single 

 red spot upon each elytron. It is often to be found about orchards, upon the trunks 

 of the trees, and its spiny, dark-colored pupas are not rare, three or four in groups, in 

 crevices of the bark. This species, as well as C. cacti, found abundantly on the Pacific 

 coast, prey upon scale-insects, and are consequently among the most useful friends 

 of fruit-growers. In Europe C. bipustulatus is abundant in all stages on a species of 

 huckleberry ( Vctccinium myrtillus). 



Coccinetta is hemispherical, hairless, and contains many pretty species, which 

 have received oftentimes scientific names to indicate the number 

 or nature of their spots. Among them, C. novemnotata, the nine- 

 spotted lady-bird, has a black and white head and prothorax, and 

 reddish elytra, on which are nine round black spots. The figures 

 give a good idea of the appearance of this species. C. septempunc- 

 tata, the seven-spotted lady-bird, one of the largest and commonest 

 European species of this family, resembles in a general way C. nov- 

 emnotata, and was used in earlier times, like some other species of 

 lady-birds, as a remedy for toothache. Forskal, late as 1775, enu- 

 merates Coccinella in the materia medico, of Cairo, Egypt. In the 

 figure are a few other common European lady-birds. 



FIG. 347. Coccin- 

 ella novemnotata, 

 pupa above. 



accompanying 



FIG. 348. European lady-birds, a, Coccinella dispar ; b, C. impustulata ; c, Chilocorus bipustulatus; 

 d, Coccinella septempunctata, and e, larva; /, Micraspis duodecimpunctata. 



Adalia bipunctata is our most common species, and is often called the two-spotted 

 lady-bird. Its head is black, with two yellow spots on each side above ; prothorax 

 black, with yellow lateral portions, and a few dorsal yellow spots ; scutellum black ; 

 elytra reddish-yellow, each with one central round black spot. Beneath, the epipleurae 

 are reddish-yellow ; the margins of the prothorax yellow ; all else black. This species 

 hibernates in large numbers under bark, in barns, and even in houses. In early spring 

 the two-spotted lady-birds come out of their hiding-places and lay their oblong yellow 

 eggs in little masses upon the bark of trees, choosing localities where there is a pros- 

 pect of an abundant supply of plant-lice, upon which their larvae feed. A few of 

 these beetles brought indoors and put upon house-plants will seek out the plant-lice, 

 and the females, if they discover a colony of plant-lice, will deposit their eggs near 



