1897.} 245 



SOME KEMARKS ON THE CHARACTEES OF ADALIA, Muls., AND 

 COCCINELLA, Linn. 



BT BEETRAM &. EYE, E. E. S. 



Mulsant (Spec. Col. Trim., p. 36) and Fowler (Col. Brit. Islands, 

 iii, p. 158) separate these genera by tlie form of the coxal lines on 

 the first segment of the abdomen, and the shape of the presternum 

 between the anterior coxae. Crotch (Eevision of the CoccinellidcB, p. 

 105) leaves Coccinella uncharacterized. 



Of the characters mentioned by Mulsant and Fowler the form of 

 the coxal lines appears to be the only reliable one upon which any 

 division can be based ; but this has been rather ambiguously expressed, 

 and, when taken with the prosternal structure, it is almost impossible 

 to determine the genus of but very few of the species 1 have ex- 

 amined. 



In the genus Adalia the prosternum is stated to be rounded and 

 smooth, but unfortunately this is not the case in A. hipunctata, which 

 has it distinctly flat and with a short carina at the apex. In Coccinella , 

 however, it is flattened, and usually shows traces of at least two carinas. 



Nevertheless, the two genera may be separated without much 

 difiiculty by the form of the coxal lines, except in immature specimens, 

 when the shrinking of the abdomen makes the tracing of the lines 

 rather uncertain. 



The following table will explain the differences between the two 

 genera : — 



Coxal lines on the first abdominal segment semicircular and continued to the side 

 margin, never reaching below the middle of the segment, sometimes slightly 

 evanescent towards the margin Adalia, Muls. 



Coxal lines straight or slightly curved, and terminating on the apical margin of the 

 segment, never continued to the side Coccinella, Linn. 



In some of the species of the genus Coccinella there is a slight 

 depressed line that in some lights looks like a continuation of the 

 raised coxal line, but on close examination it will be found that it 

 terminates before it reaches the coxal line. This fact has no doubt 

 given rise to certain varieties of C. hieroglypMca, L., being mistaken 

 for the var. fenestrata, Weise, of A. ohliterata, L. 



From a study of these characters it will be found that C. 

 10-punctata {variabilis) must be placed in the genus Adalia, and it 

 will also raise the question whether A. bothiiica, Payk., is not a variety 

 of that species. 



212, Upper Richmond Road, Putney, S.W. : 

 September 1st, 1897. 



