THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



523 



RECENT LADYBIRD INTRODUCTIONS. 



By Harry S. Smith. 



The genera Chiloeoriis and Exochomas are probably the most efficient 

 of all ladybirds preying upon Coccidie. They exist practically wherever 

 scale insects occur and are represented by a large nurnber of species. 

 The literature on natural control of insects abounds in references to 

 them and for years certain species have been recorded in south Europe 

 as valuable enemies of scale insects infesting citrus and olive trees. 

 During the summer just past we have been able to introduce into Cali- 

 fornia from Italy two valuable species, viz, Chilocorus hipustulatus (L.) 

 and Exochomus quadripustulatns (L.). The material was collected in 

 various parts of Italy by a representative of the Insectary, Sig. Giuseppe 

 Rossetti, who worked under the able direction of Doctor F. Silvestri, 





Fig. 105. — Chilocorus hipustulatus. 1. larva; 2. pupa; 3. adult. 



Dispense di Entomologia Agraria. ) 



(After Silvestri. 



Director of the Zoological Laboratory of the Royal School of Agricul- 

 ture, Portici, Italy. Although the difficulties confronting the trans- 

 portation of ladybirds so great a distance are many, and a heavy mor- 

 tality resulted, still it was possible by careful packing and the use of 

 refrigeration to liberate in the orchards of California a good healthy 

 colony of each species. These insects feed upon various armored and 

 unarmored scales as well as upon mealy bugs. 



Chilocorus hipustidaUis (L.) is of a black or shining reddish color and 

 globular in shape. There are three reddish yellow spots on each ely- 

 tron, arranged transversely and sometimes coalescing into a band. 



The pupa is somewhat triangular and yellowish brown in color with 

 two lighter areas on the first abdominal segment. It is provided, 

 dorsally, with numerous spines of varying length. 



