SOME NOTES ON LIFE HISTORY OF LADYBEETLES.* 
By Miriam A, PALMER 
The species treated in this paper are the more common 
forms found in Colorado; namely, Hippodamia convergens 
Guer., Coccinella 5-notata Kirby, Coccinella monticola Muls., 
Coccinella 9-notata Ubst., and Adalia melanopleura Lec., 
annectans Crotch, coloradensis Casey, and humeralis Say; also 
incidentally, Olla abdominalis Say, Hippodamia sinuata Muls., 
and parenthesis Say, Coccinella sanguinea Linn., and Scymnus 
sp. Special attention was paid to the duration of the life 
cycle, and habits regarding egg-laying and feeding, with inci- 
dental observations on injurious influences and other points, 
also descriptions were made of the beetles in all stages. 
Hippodamia convergens Guer. 
This is our most common species, and may be described as 
follows: 
Adult: Fig. 1, Plate XXXII. 
Head black, with pale frontal spot connected laterally with the eyes; 
pronotum black with pale narrow border along apical and lateral mar- 
gins; the two discal marks distinct and converging posteriorly; elytra 
yellowish red, each with a scutellar spot and with six other spots rather 
small in size and never united; the three posterior ones more developed 
and constant. The spots are frequently lacking altogether and the 
elytra immaculate. Legs black; length 6 to 7 mm.; width 3.5 to 4mm. 
Egg: Fig. 2, Plate .©.C.6 0S 
Pale to deep amber yellow, even as deep as yellow cadmium in some 
cases; length 1.13 to 1.83 mm.; width .49 to .55 mm. 
Larva: Fig. 3, Plate XXXII. 
First instar: Entirely black with exception of pale area on lateral 
and dorso-lateral margins of first abdominal segment; meso- and meta- 
thorax each with two large setaceous areas and small setaceous spot 
laterally; abdomen with three pairs of rows of setaceous areas. Second 
instar: Same as first except that margins of pronotum are often pale 
yellowish and the pale spots on the first abdominal segment are now 
light orange colored, and in addition to these, faint orange spots are 
seen similarly placed on the fourth segment. Third instar: Same as 
before except that it is more orange colored in the light spots. Fourth 
*This paper is an outgrowth of breeding cage work with the Coccinellids, 
assigned me by Professor Gillette as a part of his Adams fund project on Life His- 
tories of the Plant Lice and Their Enemies. Acknowledgments are also due to 
Professor C. P. Gillette and Mr. L. C. Bragg for determination of Plant Lice 
herein mentioned. 
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