122 THE entomologist's RECORD, 



during autumn of 189 1. A. bothnica, Payk., has a variety named 

 crucifera, Weise. A single specimen of this variety has been captured 

 by Dr. Power at Moss Morran, Scotland, and for this reason Canon 

 Fowler incorporates the species in the British list. 



A. bipunciata, L. — This beetle may be found almost everywhere — 

 in our gardens, parks, fields, river banks, and indeed in any place 

 where herbage or trees grow. In choice of prey it is undoubtedly the 

 least dainty of the Ladybird tribe, as it will devour nearly every species 

 of Aphides which infest our fruit trees, flowers, and food crops. In the 

 vicinity of hop grounds, it is surprising what immense quantities of A. 

 bipunctata are to be met with. I remember on one occasion while 

 visiting Farnham (Surrey) that the insects swarmed in great numbers 

 in the windows, houses, and churches in that district. Other Ladybird 

 species, such as Coccinella 10-punctata and C. iptindata, were also 

 present, but not in such profusion as A. bipu7ictata. The whole of 

 these three species will devour the " Hop Aphis " {Phorodon hiimuli)^ 

 but the last is by far the most useful in hop plantations. The 

 migratory habits of the two-spot Ladybird are so well known that it 

 is needless to enlarge on the subject. Suffice it to say, however, that 

 the Ladybirds appear to follow the swarms of Aphides. Nevertheless, 

 there is just one fact in connection with this subject that may be worthy 

 of note. In 1888 Professor Riley, the eminent American entomo- 

 logist, specially reported on the life-history of the " Hop Aphis," and 

 confirmed the statement made by Mr. Francis Walker (in 1848) that 

 the Aphis migrates in the autumn from the hop to the wild or cultivated 

 plum (where the eggs are laid), and then back again to the hop plant 

 in the spring. Owing to this statement certain cultivators rather lost 

 their heads, and it was suggested that the plum tree, wild and culti- 

 vated, should be exterminated. What I should like to impress upon 

 cultivators is this : Supposing that the plum trees be condemned in 

 order to deprive the "Hop Aphis" of its hybernating refuge, how are 

 we to prevent immigration of the Aphides f Probably, after we have 

 sacrificed one of our best fruits, the number of Aphides in hop 

 plantations would be found as great as ever. The subject certainly 

 requires much further investigation before such drastic remedies 

 are resorted to. It must also be borne in mind that hop 

 cultivation has ever been precarious, and that the plants are largely 

 affected by the weather ; therefore, given genial weather and proper 

 cultivation,^ the hop plant, aided by the Ladybirds, would doubtless 

 recover from the attacks of Aphides, and a good crop would be the 

 result. 



Mysia, Mulsant — M. oblongo-guttata, L. (formerly Coccinella oblongo- 

 guttata), is one of the large species which devour the Aphides frequenting 

 fir trees. It is local rather than common. It occurs at Esher, 

 Farnham, and other parts of Surrey ; Delamere Forest and fir woods 

 in Cheshire district (W. E. Sharp) ; Hastings ; and fir plantations 

 generally. 



Anantis, Mulsant. — Our species, A. ocellata, L., is the largest of the 

 British Ladybirds. When alive, the black spots on the elytra are 

 surrounded by white or yellow rings, which become indistinct after 



^ The meaning intended by this term includes burning the dead bines and general 

 rubbish of the hop grounds. In America, repressive measures form part of the 

 cultivation of potatoes. — G. A. L. 



