115 



lu their turn the chimneys were packed in damp moss in a box 

 and placed in cold storage on the "Mongolia." Of the lot sent 

 three beetles and five pupae came through in excellent condi- 

 tion. A few days later the pupae reached maturity and subse- 

 quently the office was in the happy possession of five strong 

 beetles. To the writer the care of these beetles was a lively 

 treat, as he has had two years' experience with them at the U. S. 

 Bureau of Entomology at Washington, whither this species was 

 introduced to check the ravages of the notorious San Jo?e scale 

 and where he has had such signal success in breeding it. 



The preferred hosts of this ladybird in Japan and China are 

 what is known in the States as the "peach scale" {Diaspis 

 pentagona, Targ.), with the San Jose scale {Aspidiotus pernicio- 

 sus, Coms.) as a close second. While both of these scale in- 

 sects are reported from the Territory their abiding place was 

 not definitely known. The entomologist in charge was, there- 

 fore, obliged to resort to experiment in order to determine 

 whether the ladybird would adapt itself to some other scale in- 

 sect that occurs in abundant numbers in the vicinity of the 

 laboratory. Naturally, only closely allied species of scale in- 

 sects could be depended upon to supply the pressing want, — 

 food for the hungry. This was fortunately found in the rose 

 scale {Aulacaspis rosae, Sandb.) which the beetles readily ac- 

 cepted as food and breeding environment. Ere very long eggs 

 laid by the beetles were observed and a considerable number of 

 these was subsequently brought to full maturity, and at this 

 writing the second generation is getting a start in Hawaii nei. 

 A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Austin reported the presence of the 

 San Jose scale on some peach and plum trees at Mokuleia, 

 Oahu, and infested twigs of these were used as food in the 

 breeding jars with good success." * The beetle has the pecu- 

 liar and interesting habit of withdrawing the scale insect from 

 beneath its scaly dome and while munching it, fill the tenancy 

 with an egg of its own. A full report of the habits of this 

 ladybird appears in the 1902 Year Book of the U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, written and illustrated by C. L. Marlatt^ 

 the entomologist who introduced it into the States. 



See below note ou the San Jose scale colonv. 



