BUG VS. BUG. 15 



with dark spines, crossed with a yellowish band near the middle. 

 When about to change, into the pupa or chrysalis, the larva selects the 

 under side of the large branches, where it attaches itself with a gummy 

 substance to the bark, head downward. In a few days the spiny, larval 

 skin splits longitudinally, exposing the inclosed chrysalis. When the 

 beetle issues from the chrysalis it has a black head, with white wing- 

 covers; in a short time this changes to a shiny black, with a red spot 

 on each elytra. In this stage it also preys upon scale insects. 



Coeeinella sanguinea, Linn. (Blood-red ladybird). This is a medium- 

 sized native species, found very generally distributed over California. 

 It feeds upon aphids and young scale insects, but is not so common as 

 some of the other species, and is not, therefore, so beneficial. The 

 beetle is of a solid color, varying in intensity from a dull red to a bright 

 scarlet. 



Coceinella ealiforniea, Mann. This species is a very common one in 

 this State, and the beetles are sometimes found in enormous numbers. 

 They are very social in their habits, and can sometimes be found in 

 such numbers as to be gathered by quarts. They are larger than the 

 sanguinea. The elytra are orange-red, without spots or markings; 

 thorax is black, with a light spot on each side. They feed principally 

 on aphids. Like other species of ladybirds, the larvge do the most good. 



Coecinella abdominalis, Say. This is known as the "ashy gray 

 ladybird," from its prevailing color. This ladybird is hemispherical in 

 form, ashy gray in color; with seven small black spots on the thorax 

 and eight on each wing-cover. It is said to be one form of Coceinella 

 oculata, Say. It is an aphis-feeder, and where it exists in quantity does 

 good work. 



Coceinella oeulata, Say (Eyed ladybird). This, while it is supposed 

 to be one form of the preceding, does not resemble it in any manner, in 

 its markings or general appearance. The adult insect is deep black in 

 color, with two distinct orange-red spots on the wing-covers, and might 

 easily be mistaken for Chilocorus f rat emus. There is a distinct differ- 

 ence in these two insects in the markings of the thorax, the oculata 

 being light yellow on the under side and around the margin of the 

 thorax. Like its other form, abdominalis, it is an aphis-feeder, and a 

 very effective one where it is found ; but in this form it is not a common 

 insect in this State. 



Hippodamia eonvergens, Guer. This is another of the common 

 ladybirds of California, and is found throughout the State during the 

 summer months very plentifully, among corn and other vegetables. 

 The larvae feed upon aphids and other insects, while the mature insects 



