274 BENEFICIAL INSECTS. 



After about six days the beetle comes out, and it too feeds upon aphis. 



FIGK 332. 



Eggs of Green Chrysopa. 



(Magnified.) 



The beetle is shaped like a half pea, the wings covering most of the 



body. There are six little black 

 spots on the upper surface, the 

 general colour being yellow or 

 orange. The beetle has good 

 biting mouth-parts and feeds 

 actively upon aphis. The females 

 lay about 90 eggs each, in little 

 clusters, and then die. 



The life of this beetle may be 

 long or short, depending upon 

 whether it can find food for itself 

 and its young, when it will lay 

 eggs. Large numbers of beetles 

 are found during the cold weather 

 and dry weather before the rains, 

 seeking for aphides on which to 

 feed. These beetles probably live 

 a long time. When food is plenti- 

 ful, the whole life from egg to 

 perfect insects does not exceed 

 four weeks, and one brood succeeds 

 (Magnified.) another rapidly. 



FIG. 333. 

 Brown Chrysopa larva. 



