220 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Hosts. — This beetle feeds upon many species of aphids and coccids. 



Fig. 218. — Adult female 

 of Scymnus marginicolUs 

 Mann. (Essig, P. C. .Jr. 

 Ent.) 



and are especially destructive to San Jose scale in the north and to 

 red and purple scales in the south. 



THE MINUTE BLACK LADYBIRD BEETLE. 



Slcthonis vagans Blaekb. 



{Scymnus vagaiis Blackb. ) 



(Fig. 219.) 



General Appearance. — One of the smallest common species, so small 

 as to be scarcely ever noticed, being scarcely one sixteenth of an inch 

 long. Jet black in color and oblong in "shape. 



Life History. — The larvte are not usually met with because of their 

 small size and occurrence upon native shrubbery. The adults follow 

 the infestations of mites, and feed almost entirely upon them. They 

 are very active through the entire life history and become very 

 numerous. 



Fig. 219. — The minute 

 black ladybird beetle, 

 Stethorus vaguns Blackb. 

 (Original.) 



Distribution. — A native species plentiful in the southern part of the 

 State, and also abundant in the coast counties. 



Hosts. — Small mites and spiders. Often abundant in citrus, 

 orchards, feeding upon the red spider (TetranycJius mytilaspidis- 

 Riley), and the common mite {Tetr any elms himaculatus Harv.). They 

 also prey upon the clover mite {Bryohia pratensis Garman). 



