REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1902 115 



leaves, and fewer scales were observed on the portion of the 

 tree where the predaceous larvae were most abundant, since the 

 scale insects were not clustered along the midribs of the leaves 

 where the grubs occurred, as was the case in portions which ap- 

 peared to be free from them. Oct. 17 the cage was again visited, 

 and a few living larvae or grubs, together with two or three 

 living beetles and a considerable number of pupae, were found. 

 Five or six pupae were observed on the wire side of the cage, and 

 there was considerable evidence of the larvae having eaten large 

 numbers of the scale insects. 



This species resembles our native twice-stabbed lady bug, 

 Ohilocorus bivulnerus Muls., so closely that only a spec- 

 ialist can separate the adults. There is more difference between 

 the larvae of the two species, the skin of the imported form being 

 reddish or a flesh tint, while that of our native species is dull 

 gray. The larval spines of the introduced species are less prom- 

 inent and differ structurally from those of our native ladybug. 

 There appears to be no reason why our native species should not 

 be equally valuable in checking this scale insect, but at present 

 at least this introduced form seems to be much more effective, 

 and it may prove to be an exceedingly valuable ally in combating 

 this most pernicious scale insect. 



Praying mantis, Mantis religiosus Linn. The distribu- 

 tion of the eggs of this beneficial species in a number of localities 

 in the Hudson and Mohawk river valleys was recorded in our 

 preceding report, and the statements of some of the recipients 

 that eggs hatched and individuals developed were also published. 

 It is worthy of record that the eggs of this species were reported 

 by George S. Graves, Newport, as hatching June 22 of the present 

 year, and Mr W. C. Hitchcock, Pittstown, states that a nearly 

 full grown individual was taken by him Sep. 8, and that several 

 others were observed by neighbors. There is a bare possibility 

 of a mistake in some of the above records ; and yet the appearance 

 of this insect is characteristic, aud, as each of these gentlemen 

 were supplied with figures of the insect, it hardly seems as if 

 there could be any doubt of the insect having become established 

 in these two localities. 



