ii, '21] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 



Observations on Psyllobora taedata LeConte, a 

 Coccinellid Attacking Mildews (Col.). 1 



By W. M. DAVIDSON," . \lhanibra, California. 



Psyllobora taedata LeConte is a common coccinrllid 

 throughout the cultivated portions of California and the writer 

 has observed it the past eight years in numerous localities. 

 It occurs in about equal abundance in the coastal regions and 

 in the interior valleys. 



In all stages the insect is to be found associated with fungus 

 infestations of the mildew type and it appears to be especially 

 attracted to rose and apple powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca 

 pannosa Lev. and Podosphaera oxyacanthac De Bary respec- 

 tively). 



The adult beetles hibernate either singly or in small colonies 

 in sheltered locations. They issue forth in April and thence- 

 forth breeding takes place until November and even December. 



Pre-eminently a phytophagous insect, the species, never- 

 theless. is wholly beneficial in that it confines its feeding to de- 

 structive fungi. It, however, rarely attacks incipient mildew- 

 outbreaks. but rather well established infestations and in this 

 respect conforms to the normal character of predatory coccin- 

 ellids. 



The adult beetles are small convex insects, about 2.2 mm. 

 in length by 1.6 mm. in width; sordid yellowish-white, liberally 

 blotched and spotted with brown and brownish-black macu- 

 lations. Immature stages are whitish : the larvae and pupae 

 bearing grayish markings. 



DESCRIPTION OF STAGES. 



The ovum is white, elongate, oval, deposited with the long axis at 

 right angles to the leaf or stem surface. Length .6 mm., width .2 mm. 

 The eggs are generally deposited on the surface of a leaf attacked by 

 fungus, more rarely on the stem. When the foliage is being curled by 

 the action of the fungus the eggs are usually placed inside the curl. 

 They are rarely deposited in groups larger than 4; most often there 

 are either 2 or 4 in a group. 



The newly-hatched, larva is short oval, light gray, armed with long 



1 Published with the permission of the Secretary of Agriculture. 

 " Deciduous Fruit Insert Invt-vti^ation-,, I'.ureau if Entomolo 

 Dept. of Agriculture. 



