15S CLAVicouxiA. [Coecin.eUidcF aphiilipha(jcp. 



many parts of the country that the dark clouds are " blight ;" if, how- 

 ever, we consider their rate of increase, we shall not be surprised that in 

 a few hours trees, before flourishing, become blighted. Any check on 

 this plague is of course of the greatest service, and the Coccinellidss play 

 a great part, especially in the larval state, in preserving the balance of 

 nature. 



The larvaa of the Coccinellidas are very common objects; they are broad in front 

 and narrowed beli'md, and are covered with more or less distinct spines and tubercles; 

 they are variously coloured ; that of C. ^-punctata is one of the best known ; it is 

 about 10 mm. in length, of an ashy-grey or"bluish-grey colour, with two yellow spots on 

 the anterior part of the prothoracic segment, and with the external tubercles of the 

 fourth and seventh abdominal segments yellow, the others being black ; the pupa is 

 orange coloured, with a double row of black spots; before changing the larva attaches 

 itself to a leaf by its last segment by means of a viscous substance which it secretes ; 

 it then bends the anterior portion of the body up towards the apical po!ti<)n ; the 

 tubercles then diminish in size, the hairs fall off, and the skin splits on the back and 

 shrinks in a wrinkled mass to the apex of the body (v. Chapuis et Candeze, Cat. des 

 Larves des Coleoperes, p. 291). 

 I. Anterior coxal cavities closed behind. 



i. Clypeus not widened into a lobe at sides, eyes almost 

 free in front, base of antennaj more or less exposed. 



1. Antennaj moderately long. 



A. Form more elongate and looser ; thorax broadest 



at or before middle. 



a. Claws toothed , . Hippodamia, MiiJs. 



b. Claws simple . . . , Anisosiicta, Dtip. 



B. Form less elongate, as a rule more or less 

 hemispherical, thorax broadest at base, or at all 



events behind middle. 



a. S( utellum distinct. 



a*. Antennse with club rather short and 



compact, with penultimate joints trans- 

 verse and truncate at apex. 



af . Prosteruum convex without carinas ; 

 coxal lines of first abdominal segment 

 semicircular complete Adalia, Muh, 



bf. Prosternum depressed between coxae, 

 usually with two carinse ; coxal lines of 

 first abdominal segment incomplete . . Coccinella, L. 

 h*. Antenna; with club less compact, with the 



penultimate joints not transverse, or, if 



transverse, with the apices not truncate, 



but veith projecting angles embracing the 

 succeeding joint. 



ai'. Sutural margin of elytra sinuate before 

 apex, the siuuation being furnished with 

 golden setoe ; head less sunk in thorax . Anatis, Muls. 



bf. Sutural margin of elytra straight; head 

 more sunk in thorax. 



a|. Claws slender at base Mysia, Mnlx. 



bj. Claws broad at base Hal^zia, Muls. 



b. Scutellum very small, scarcely, if at all, 



visible MtCEASPis, Jiedt. 



2. Antcnnaj very short, I'arcly longer than the dia- 



meter of the eves. 



