162 TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



general feeder than the preceding, and besides plants 

 in the vegetable and flower garden, it attacks vari- 

 ous fruit trees, especially when these 

 are young. The principal remedies 

 thus far recommended are tobacco 

 water and cresylic soap. The insect 

 is very fond of the cabbage, especially 

 when it is in bloom, and it has been 

 suggested to allow a patch of cabbages 

 to run up to flower in order to attract 

 the insects which can be more readily 

 destroyed, when thus assembled, than 



Fig. 33. TARNISHED J 



PLANT-BUG (Capsus when scattered over a wide area. 



obiincatus). The Lady . birds or Lady-bugs, in 



their perfect state are well-known insects, and the brief 



description of the leading species here given will 



allow them to be recognized. The larval form, 



in which they are so useful is not so well 



known. The engraving fig. 34, gives their 



general appearance The color is often blue, or 



lead color, with orange and black markings. 



They are remarkably active and run about with 



great rapidity, as they feed not only upon plant LA.RVA OF 



lice but upon other insects. The one repre- 



sented in fig. 34, is the larva of Hippodamia mia G e ^ er - 

 convergens, and has done good service in keep- 

 ing the Colorado Potato-bug in check, by feeding upon 

 its soft larvae. 



