INSECTS AND VEGETABLE PARASITES INJUKIOUS TO CROPS 45 



Om. Oblong oval, somewhat pointed at one end ; yellow, Avith smooth shiny 

 shell (Fig. 2). 



LengtJt. 0*8 mm. 



Observafioiis. Tliis species infests to a serious extent the ' dura " in the Sudan 

 {vide Dr. Balfour's Report). It is also kno^vn as the ' Asal ' Fly. It produces a 

 cojjious flow of honey dew ; this and the quantity of black excreta passed out by 

 the aphides smother the leaves and heads to such an extent that the plants die off. 

 I cannot detect any specimens that might be o\'iparous females or males. Tlie 

 descriptions are draAvn up from spirit specimens. The general ground colour of the 

 Aphis is green. Another species (sent me by Mrs. Broun), undoubtedly exists. It 

 came from Kassala, but in too damaged a state to describe. My thanks are due to 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture for help in this matter. 



Natural Enemies. Two Ladv Bird Beetles feed both in their larval and adult Beneficial 



Lady Bird 



stages on this pest namely Coccinella undecimpunctata, the 11 -spotted Lady Bird Beeties 

 and the Three-lined Lady Bird — Chilomenes vicina Muls.' (Plate C, Figs. 14 & 15.) 



The 11 -SPOTTED Lady Bird (Coccinella undecimpunctata) has a black head 

 with two yeUoAv spots, the clypeus black with yellow hair ; the prothorax black 

 with a creamy area on each side, broadest in fi'ont ; scuteUum black. Eljrtra 

 yellowish red with ele\'en black spots when closed, the first row of three spots, the 

 large median one being half on each elytron and two curved rows of foiu- spots. 

 Prouotum and elytra densely, finely and closely pujictate. The legs are black 

 and hairy. 



Length 4*5 to 5 mm. 



The Three-lined Lady Bird (Chilomenes vicina. Muls^ has a creamy yellow 

 head and clypeus and black eyes, deeply indented in the prothorax. Prothorax creamy 

 yellow with a black band behind and a l)lack central area connected by a narrow 

 stalk -with it, a few dark con\ergiug streaks beliind the black eyes. Scutellum 

 small and black. Elytra pale ochreous-yeUow Avitli a thick black median fine, 

 formed by the jimction of a black line on each edge of the elytra, and a black 

 curved line on each eh-tron on its outer half, between which and the narroAv black 

 edge are numerous minute black specks. Legs pale yellowisli to ochreous. The 

 whole sui'face of the pronotum and el}'ira very faintly and minutely punctate. 



Length 3'8 to 4'3 mm. 



A species of Bassus has been sent -witli the material, the species of this genus 

 live on Syi'phus flies and are tlms injurious as the Syrphus flies feed on ^Vphis 

 dui'ing their larval stage, and help the Lady Birds to keep doA\^n these pests. 



' Second Report on Economic Zoology, p. 121, 1904. F. V. Theobald 



