112 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF 



ash, changing into each other when viewed from different angles. When viewed from above : first 

 segment deep black with a posterior bonier of silver-ash very narrow in the middle, much widened 

 laterally, but abreviated at the sides of the abdomen. The other segments with the basal half sil- 

 very-ash, terminal half black. Legs black. Fourth longitudinal vein of the wings straight after 

 the angle. Posterior transverse vein arcuate. 

 Described from numerous bred specimens. 



Ladybirds.— In the egg state the Colorado Potato- beetle is preyed 

 upon by no less than four distinct species of Ladybirds. Foremost 

 [Fig. 49.] [Fig. so.] [Fig. 51.] among them is the Spotted ladybird 

 ( JTippodamia macuIata,T)eGeer) which 

 is one of our most common species and 

 is of a pink color, marked with large 

 black spots as in Figure 49. Next comes 

 the Nine-spotted ladybird (Coccinella 9-?iotata, Herbst) which is of 

 a brick-red color and marked with 9 small black spots as in Figure 

 50. Next, the Thirteen-spotted ladybird (Ilippodamia 13-punclata, 

 Linn.) which is also of a brick-red color but marked with 13 black 

 spots as in Figure 51. And last but not least, the little species fig- 

 ured at 52, a, which may be known as the Convergent ladybird ( Ilip- 

 podamia convergent, Guer.) and which is of an 

 orange-red color marked with black and white as in 

 the figure. This last species alone has been of im- 

 mense benefit in checking the ravages of the Pota- 

 to-beetle. Its larva is represented of the natural 

 size at Figure 52, a its colors being blue, orange and 

 black ; when full grown it hangs by the tail to the underside of a stalk 

 or leaf and transforms into the pupa represented at Figure 52, l>. In 

 this state it is of the exact color of the Colorado beetle larva and is 

 doubtless quite often mistaken for that larva and ruthlessly destroyed. 

 It may readily be distinguished however by its quiescence, and let 

 every potato grower learn well to recognize it and spare its life ! The 

 larva? of all these ladybirds are more bloodthirsty in their habits 

 than the perfect beetles, and the larva of the little Convergent lady- 

 bird is so essentially a cannibal that whenever other food fails, it will 

 turn to and devour the helpless pupae of its own kind. It is a rather 

 cruel and withal a somewhat cowardly act to thus take advantage of 

 a helpless brother; but in consideration of its good services, we must 

 overlook these unpleasant traits in our little hero's character! All 

 these larvae bear a strong general resemblance, and with the aid of 

 Figure 52 a and the annexed Figure 53, a good idea may be obtained 

 of them. They run with considerable speed, and may be 

 found in great numbers upon almost all kinds of herbage. 

 The larva? of certain species that prey upon the Hop Plant- 

 louse in the East are well known to the hop-pickers as 

 " black niggers" or " serpents," and are carefully preserved 

 by them as some of their most efficient friends. 



The eggs of ladybirds greatly resemble those of the 

 Colorado Potato-beetle, and are scarcely distinguishable except by 



