226 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Distribution. — This species was introduced into California by 

 Albert Kcebele and has become generally established in the central 

 and southern parts of the State. 



Hosts. — The larva' and adults of this beetle feed upon red scale 

 (Chrysomphalus aurantii), yellow scale (Chrysomphalus citrinus), ivy 

 scale (Aspidiohis hederm), pernicious 

 or San Jose scale (Aspidiotus per- 

 niciosus), purple scale (Lepidosaphes 

 beckii), the citrus mealy bug (Pseudo- 

 coccus citri) and black scale (Sais- 

 s< lia oleas). 



THE ASHY-GRAY LADYBIRD 



BEETLE 1 



Olla abdominalis (Say) 



{Cycloneda abdominalis Say i 



(Fig. 211) 



Description. — The beetles have a 

 yellowish-gray ground color with 

 many small dark spots on the dorsum. g^^^^^SWS 

 The body is of average size, being nekoff, Mo. Bui. bai. Hort. B Com.) 

 about | inch long and distinctly broad or almost hemispherical in shape. 



The eggs are light orange-yellow 

 and laid on end in clusters much 

 the same as those of the Hippo- 

 d&mia convergens Gruer. The larva 1 

 vary from -J- to § inch in length, 

 are dark with yellow spots on the 

 sides and dorsum. The pupae are 

 gray with dark spots on the back 

 and large dark blotches on the 

 sides and ventral surface. 



Distribution. — This species 

 occurs throughout the State, but 

 is more abundant in the central 

 and southern parts, especially in 

 the coast counties from Santa 

 Barbara south. 

 Hosts. — The walnut plant louse is a favorite host of this beetle and 

 often almost entirely subdued by it. Other lice are also attacked. 



Fig. 2 11. — The ashy-gray ladybird 

 beetle, Olla abdominalis (Say). Male and 

 female. Enlarged nearly three times. 

 (Original) 



THE STEEL-BLUE LADYBIRD BEETLE 



Orciis chalybeus (Boisduval) 



(Fig. 212) 



Description. — The adult is metallic, steel-blue or green in color, 

 almost hemispherical in shape and between 1 and f\ inch in diameter. 



"'The eyed ladybird beetle, Olla (Cycloneda) oculata Fab., is a dark form of this 

 species. The adults are broadly rounded, 3-16 inch long and three fourths as wide. 

 The head is pale ; the pronotum black with pale margins ; the wing covers are black 

 with a large, irregular red or orange-colored spot near the middle of each. The ventral 

 surface of the head and thorax and the bases of the legs are black, while the tips 

 of the legs and the posterior end of the abdomen are pale. Olla plagiata Casey is 

 also a synonym of Olla abdominalis Say. 



