72 



INSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE. 



Fin. 2G. Chiloco- 

 rus bivulaierus. 

 ( After Riley.) 



l''l(}. 27. Chilocorus 

 bivitlnerus, larva. 

 (After Comstor-k.) 



turn covered with spinules and give to the insect a mossy appearance. 

 The spines are arranged in six longitudinal rows. 



The larva, when full grown, attaches itself firmly by 

 the false legs at the end of the body, and becomes wedge- 

 shaped; the skin of the back splits and gapes open, part- 

 ly disclosing the pupa, which, however, remains within 

 the skin of the larva. This mode of pupating is char- 

 acteristic of the entire family. 



The pupa is short and thick, tapering suddenly behind, 

 in color black, mottled with dusky brown. The stout spines of the larva 

 are replaced by patches of spiny hairs. 



The Twice-stabbed Lady-bird is as abundant in Flor- 

 ida as in all parts of the eastern and southern United 

 States, and, with its larva, is frequently seen upon the 

 orange trees, feeding upon Scale-insects and also upon 

 Aphis. It is rather fond of cool, damp situations, and 

 is most abundant in old groves, upon the trunks of 

 trees infested with Chaff Scale and fungi. It tears up 

 the scales and devours the Coccids and their eggs. 

 Several broods occur during the year. The larvae ap- 

 pear to be somewhat gregarious, and frequently when 

 they form their pupae suspend themselves in clusters to shreds of Span- 

 ish moss or in patches upon the bark when it is coated with lichens. 



EXOCHOMUS CONTRISTATUS Muls. (Fig. 28, beetle ; Fig. 29, larva.) 

 This is a much smaller species than the preceding. The beetle is 3.3 mm 

 (0.13 inch) long. The head, thorax, and body beneath are black, but 

 the wing-cases are red, with ablack spot near the tip of 

 each. 



The larva has the oval form and spiny appearance of 

 Chilocorus bivulnerus, but is handsomely marked with 

 black and white. The spines of the latter become in 

 this species prominent spiny tubercles. 



The pupa is not provided with spiny hairs, but is 

 smooth and marbled with black and yellowish brown, in a manner 

 recalling the shell of the tortoise. 



In habits this Lady-bird hardly differs from its larger relative. Chilo- 

 corus bivulnerus. It however shows no preference 

 for the shade, and is found feeding in exposed 

 situations upon the branches infested with Scale- 

 insects, or upon shoots covered with Plant lice. 

 It is exclusively a southern species. In Florida 

 it occurs everywhere upon the Oak, and frequent- 

 ly becomes abundant in the orange grove, where 

 it does good service in ridding the trees of in- 

 sect pests, devouring the eggs and the young of the larger kinds, and 

 tearing up the scales of Bark-lice in order to feed upon their contents, 

 contents. It is also an active destroyer of the Orange Aphis. 



FIG. 28.Exocho- 

 mug contrista 

 tus. (Original.) 



FIG. IQ.Exochomus con- 

 tristatus, larva 1 (Orig- 

 inal.) 



