COLEOPTERA. 511 
red or yellow, with black spots, are very useful to us, for they 
clear the trees of the aphides and other mischievous insects. 
Their larvee (Fig. 564) 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 remains 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 “‘ Béte 4 bon Dieu,” which the 
French children give it. 
