220 



[NJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



are the salmon-colored egg masses of the Hippodwrnia spp., which are 

 laid on ends, not unlike bunches of cigars. Others are deposited singly 

 upon or underneath individual scale insects, in the egg-masses of mealy 

 bugs or among plant lice. 



Larva'. — The young larvae are exceedingly active and begin to feed 

 soon after hatching. As the period of growth is short, their ability to 

 consume food must be great, and we find them unexcelled as predators. 

 They have rather long, pointed and flattened bodies, well developed 

 mouth-parts and six legs. The colors are exceedingly variable, the 



Fig. 196. — The signet ladybird beetle, 

 Hippodamia 5-signata Kirby. Greatly 

 enlarged, i Drawing by Birdnekoff. Mo. 

 Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



Fig. 197. — Leconte's ladybird beetle, 

 Hippodamia lecontei Muls. Greatly en- 

 larged. (Drawing by Birdnekoff, Mo. 

 Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



Fig. 198. — Hippodamia ambigua Lee, 

 the unspotted form of Hippodamia 

 convergens Gun-. Greatly enlarged. 

 (Drawing by Birdnekoff, Mo. Bui. Cal. 

 Hort. Com.) 



Fig. 199. — The California red lady- 

 bird beetle, Coccivcllu calif ornica Mann. 

 Greatly enlarged. (Drawing bv Bird- 

 nekoff, Mo. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



bodies are hairy, some being covered with long threads of white wax. 

 Besides the covering, they are protected by offensive secretions and are 

 not generally preyed upon by insectivorous animals. During their 

 growth they moult four times and when fully matured seek shelter 

 to pupate. 



Pupce. — The larva 1 , not having a waxy or exceedingly hairy or spiny 

 covering, usually hang by the tail and pupate with the head downward, 



