COLEOPTERA. 521 



England. The Crioceris asparagt\ or Asparagus Beetle, tawny, and 

 barred with black, resembles it in habit. 



The last tribe of Coleoptera comprises the Coccinellidce^ or Lady- 

 birds (Fig. 565). These little globular, smooth insects, red or yellow, 

 with black spots, are very useful to us, for they clear the trees of the 

 aphides and other mischievous insects. Their larvae (Fig. 566) make 

 use of their front legs to carry their prey to their mouths. When 

 danger threatens a Coccinella., it hides its feet under its body, and re- 

 mains sticking to the stem of the bush. If you touch it, it allows 

 itself to fall to the ground, but sometimes opens its elytra, and flies 

 off rapidly. It also exudes from the articulations of its abdomen a 

 yellow mucilaginous liquid, of a pungent and disagreeable odour. 

 This is the only means of defence possessed by this little inoffensive 

 being, which deserves in all respects the name of *' Bete k bon Dieu," 

 which the French children give it. 



74* 



