BUG VS. BUG. 



*7 



rapidity and the scale as rapidly disappeared, and in those sections it 

 still continues to do good work, but efforts to establish it in the interior 

 counties have not met with as good success, the heat probably being too 

 intense for the young larva?. This insect, however, is well established 

 all over the State, and in many sections is as abundant as any of our 

 native species. Wherever it is abundant, it is a chief factor in keeping 

 in check the destructive black scale. 



Oreus australasia, Boisd. (Six-spotted blue ladybird). (Fig. 3.) 

 This is one of the most beautiful of the introduced species. Like most 



FIG. 3. Orcus australasia. 



of the latter, it is a native of Australia, and was imported from that 

 country by the State Board of Horticulture through Mr. Koebele. It is 

 an enemy of the black scale (Saisseta [Lecanium] dime), and is now 

 well established in many parts of California, especially in the coast 

 counties. The female is nearly one fourth of an inch in length, deep 

 blue in color, with six orange red spots on the wing-covers. The male 

 is similarly marked, but is a smaller insect. This species is a more 

 general feeder than 0. chalyheus. In Santa Barbara 

 County it is bred on black scale, and in Alameda on the 

 pernicious scale. It loves the sunshine, and is found 

 more numerous toward the top and the outside branches 

 of the trees in which it is established. The larva and 

 pupa resemble the same stages of Pilate's ladybird. 





Oreus ehalybeus, Boisd. (Steel-blue ladybird). (Fig. 

 4.) So named from its brilliant steel-blue color, which 

 makes it a conspicuous object wherever it is found. This 

 ladybird preys largely upon the yellow scale (Chrysom- 

 phalus [Aspidiotus] citrinus, Coquillett), and also upon be'us, enlarged, 

 the red scale (Clirysomphalus [Aspidiotus] aurantii, Maskell), which 

 it consumes in great quantities. This was introduced into California 



