INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



223 



Insectary. It now occurs throughout the mealy-bug infested districts 

 of the State. 



Hosts. — This is by far the most important natural enemy preying 

 upon the various species of mealy buys, including Pseud&coccus citri, 

 P. longispinus and P. bakeri. In not a few cases it has done excellent 

 work in controlling the citrus mealy bug. 



Fig. 206. — Larva? of ladybird beetles. A. Cryptolwmus montrousieri Muls. ; B, Seym- 



nus bipunctutxs Kugel. ; C, Scymnus guttulaUis Lee. (Author's illustration, p. C. 

 Jr. Ent.) 



THE COMMON BLACK-SPOTTED RED LADYBIRD BEETLE 132 

 Hippodamia oonvergens Guerin 



(Figs. 19S, 207) 



Description. — This is the most common of all ladybird beetles in 

 California and is easily distinguished by the red color and the twelve 

 black spots on the elytra. The head and thorax are black, the latter 

 with two narrow lateral white margins and a very small median white 

 spot at the base. The eggs are salmon-colored and deposited in clusters 

 not unlike bunches of cigars stood on end. The young larvae are nearly 

 black and exceedingly small with rather long legs. Full-grown larvae 

 are nearly -| inch long and have several reddish or salmon-colored spots 

 on the dorsum. The pupae vary from yellow to reddish with black 

 markings. All stages of the beetle exist throughout the summer months 

 and may be found almost anywhere. 



" 2 The common red ladybird beetle formerly known as Hippodamia ambigua Leconte, 

 is a varietal form of the above species. There are no black spots upon the wing 

 covers, but the size, shape and other markings are identical with the spotted form. 

 See Fig. 198. 



