225 



it should be more efifective than the latter, when it becomes as 

 abundant and as generally distributed. 



As seen from the number of eggs laid by the original female, 

 they are very prolific and should increase rapidly in the cane- 

 fields when they once get a start. They cling very tenaciously to 

 objects when jarred or blown by the wind. 



This ladybug may be easily distinguished by its large size, and 

 striking markings. It is larger than our other ladybugs. It 

 measures 5-6.5 mm. long by 4.5-5.5 wide, and is very convex. 

 The color is a shining light yellow with black markings on the 

 prothorax and the elytra. Those on the elytra mark them off 

 into 5 trapezoidal areas on each elytron, somewhat resembling 

 the plates on the back of a turtle; hence, the name "testudina- 

 ria." These black markings vary in intensity and extent; often 

 they are distinct and perfect bands, marking ofif the 5 areas, but 

 usually some of the markings are absent on the posterior part, 

 or faint, or reduced to elongate spots. 



Life History. 



In the insectary, adults began copulating 7 to 20 days after 

 reaching maturity, usually about 10 days, and egg-laying began 

 the same day or the day following. The eggs are bright yel- 

 low, 1.5 mm. long, cylindrical, tapering at the ends, and are 

 placed on end in clusters on the surface of leaves usually in a 

 somewhat hidden place, as where the margin is dried and curled 

 under. (PI. XV. fig. 2.) The clusters contain from 9 to 64 

 eggs, or an average of about 30, and a cluster is deposited every 

 day, or nearly so. One female was observed to deposit a cluster 

 of 32 eggs in 15 minutes ; another female deposited 49 eggs in 23 

 minutes. This is at a rate of about 2 per minute. Records of 

 the number laid by individual females are as follows : 



Egg-Laying Period. Number of Eggs Laid. 



Dec. 15th, 1904 to Feb. 1905 944 



March 22, 1905 to April 28, 1905 632 



May 31, 1905 to July 24, 1905 59^ 



This shows the egg-laying period to be from 5 to 10 weeks. 

 In each case the females laid eggs up to the time of their death, 

 but there were fewer eggs per cluster towards the end. In the 

 third case the female had been laying eggs for a few weeks be- 

 fore any record was taken. It is not unHkely that the egg-lay- 

 ing period wouM be somewhat longer when the insects are in 

 a state of freedom. 



In breeding this Ladybug, it was observed that copulation 

 took place frequently ; in'fact, a pair kept in a tube by themselves 



