74 



INSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE. 



The larva has the same general colors as the perfect beetle, but is 

 mottled, the brighter red appearing as spots surrounded by dusky 

 areas ; the prominences upon the back of each body-joint are clothed 



with downy hairs; the single pair upon each 

 of the first three joints forms raised shields 

 of black color j the head and legs are dark. 

 The larva of this, as well as that of some 

 other species, is attacked by an internal par- 

 asite which causes its death soon after it 

 has become adult. The Lady-bird larva 

 attaches itself to the plant in the manner 

 usual to it when about to change into pupa; 

 the pupa, however, never appears, but the 

 body of the larva becomes rigid and dry, and 

 in shrinking sometimes discloses the outlines of the little oval cells 

 formed by the parasites within. The number of parasites found in the 

 body of a single Lady-bird varies from three to six, or even eight. Each 

 parasite finally issues through a separate hole, eaten in the skin of its 

 host, and appears as a little four- winged fly of black color and with 

 banded wings (Fig. 35). It has been described by Mr. L. O. Howard 



FIG. 31. Hippodamia convergens 

 natural size and enlarged. (After 

 Comstock.) 



FIG. 35. Homalotylus obscurus. (Original.) 



(Bull. 5, Entom. Bureau, United States Department of Agriculture, 

 1885, p. 22) under the name of Homalotylus obscurus. Species of the 

 same genus are known to attack the larvae of Lady-birds in Europe. 



