278 Kansas Academy of Science. 



bugs an opportunity to breed abundantly and establish them- 

 selves thoroughly, the trial would have afforded better chances 

 of success. The delay in making preparations was caused by 

 the failure to receive the cages in proper time. 



But in considering the spotted ladybird, the changing con- 

 ditions brought on by the maturity of the grain crops seemed 

 to cause this insect scarcely any concern until the general 

 drying of the plants had practically resulted in an' obliteration 

 of the usual dependent pests. The individuals then began to 

 hunt in a leisurely movement for a fresh food supply, and 

 naturally concentrated in the last failing green spots and edges 

 of the fields, where they apparently obtained a precarious sub- 

 sistence temporarily. They were by no means clear of the 

 fields when the crops were harvested in the last week of June 

 and first week of July, but at last the barren stubble enforced 

 their complete dispersion. After lingering for a few days in 

 the weedy edges, the last straggling beetles finally disappeared, 

 and scarcely any trace of the species could be detected any- 

 where during the remainder of the summer. The reason for 

 such scarcity of this insect seemed to be clearly due to the lack 

 of suitable prey, especially since none of the former pests of the 

 grain fields, on which the beetles doubtlessly depended for feed, 

 appeared in any other situation covered by exhaustive search. 



Although the spotted ladybird is not considered a distinc- 

 tive aphid feeder by all authorities, it nevertheless thrived 

 well in confinement upon a diet of green bugs, but at the same 

 time manifested cannibalistic tendencies to devour its own 

 eggs. Its life and behavior under these conditions were care- 

 fully observed and the particulars noted. 



Female beetles in confinement deposited eggs in clusters con- 

 taining altogether at a laying, so far as observed, from seven 

 to thirty eight eggs. These eggs were characteristically 

 cemented endwise upon the surface of the glass jar used for 

 cages. A single cluster, whether comprising the whole or only 

 part of a laying, seldom contained as many as fifteen eggs. 

 Whenever a larger number was laid at a time the eggs were 

 usually deposited in separate small clusters. 



Whether the disposal of eggs in such manner is designed by 

 the mother ladybird as a precautionary measure for the bene- 

 fit of her young, thereby indicating a maternal concern, is an 

 interesting question, since the corresponding separation of 



