138 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
small blue-winged ricaniid (Zuricania tristicula) is quite common 
near woodland. 
A number of species of scale-insects occur in Fiji and among 
these is the almost cosmopolitan, fluted or cottony cushion-seale 
(Icerya purchast). It feeds on orange, lemon and guava but its 
presence here is, as yet, of little economic importance, 
Although beetles (Coleoptera) are not abundant, a goodly num- 
ber of small and inconspicuous forms occur. 
The tiger beetle (Cicindela vitiensis) was taken on damp mud 
flats at Walu Bay and again later in low places near the Tamavua 
quarry. 
In cultivated and semi-cultivated areas, along the edges of dense 
bush, and on roadside vegetation a small, bluish-black halticid 
(Haltica gravida) occurs frequently. Indeed, we came across this 
beetle more often than any other; it was most abundant on 
Jusstuaea suffruticosa, some plants being almost entirely denuded 
of leaves by the beetles. 
In the vicinity of cultivated plots, two species of chrysomelids, 
Aulacophora fabricti and A. quadrimaculata were particularly 
common; both are of some economic importance since they feed 
upon melons, pumpkins and other Cucurbitacee. 
The yellowish coccinellid (Coccinella transversalis) is fairly 
common on roadside vegetation and in cultivated patches of taro, 
yams, ete. Both the larve and adults feed on plant lice. 
Among the interesting introduced forms is the small red and 
black Australian ladybird beetle (Vedalia cardinalis) which feeds 
upon scale insects. A few specimens of this species were intro- 
duced from Australia into California about 1890 in an attempt to 
control the fluted scale (J. purchast) which was very destructive 
to orange trees. The beetles multiplied rapidly and within a few 
years had checked the destructive scale to such an appreciable de- 
gree that since that time the damage inflicted by it has been only 
occasional and local. 
Another coccinellid beetle (Hpilachna 28-punctata) oceurs com- 
monly and we secured a good series. It is yellowish with fourteen 
black spots on each elytron and like others of this genus it in- 
dulges in a vegetarian diet, feeding upon various kinds of 
Solanacer. 
One of the interesting entomological experiences which I had in 
Fiji was the opportunity to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance 
