606 



Pomona College Journal of Entomology 



the name lace wing), and briglit transparent green. The head is yellow above, 

 green beneath, and amber or brown on the sides. The thorax and abdomen are 

 green excepting the dorsal yellow band. The legs are green with tips of the tibi« 

 and the tarsi amber. Eyes large, iridescent green. Antennae long and setaceous, 

 light yellow or transparent white with amber tips. The wing veins and the entire 

 body are clothed with fine hairs. 



COCCINELLIDAE 



Feeding upon plant lice are always to be found the young or larvae of the 

 Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae). There are three common aphid feeders which 

 are to be found in nearly every orange orchard and which should receive special 

 attention here. They are the common Red Ladybird Beetle Coccinella californica, 

 Mann, the Red Spotted Beetle Hippodamia convergens Guer., and the Ashy Gray 

 Ladybird Beetle Coccinella abdominalis Say. Besides these there are a few 

 specimens of the genus Scymnus to be found, the most common and efficient being 

 a small brown native species, Scymiius sordidiis Horn. 



Figure 198. A, Coccinella abdominalis; B, Hippodamia convergens; C, Coccinella 

 californica; D, Scymnus sordidus 



The eggs of these ladybird beetles are laid in clusters not unlike bunches of 

 cigars on end, and may be found almost anywhere, from board fences to the various 

 parts of the foliage of a tree. Tliey are small, pointed at both ends, and salmon 

 colored. The accompanying photographs give a fair representation of different 

 clusters. The eggs of S. sordidus are deposited singly and are very difficult to 

 find. 



The larvae as they emerge from the upper ends of the eggs soon begin their 

 search for food, which consists of very small insects at first. They grow very fast 

 and develop tremendous appetites. The body is long, very rough, hairy and dark 

 with red or yellow markings on the dorsum. They have six legs and are capable 

 of traveling very rapidly. As soon as they are fully matured they hang themselves 

 up by the tail-end to some twig, leaf, limb, or any other convenient place of support 

 and transform into the pupal stage. These pupse may be seen in considerable 

 numbers almost anywhere in the orchards. They are of a reddish brown or gray 

 color with dark markings. When touched or disturbed they will suddenly throw 

 up the head as if to strike the assailant. From this stage emerges the adult beetle 



