Insect Study 415 



plant -lice. Plant and all may be brought into the schoolroom and the 

 actions of the larvae noted by the pupils during recess. 



Observations — i. How large is the ladybird? What is its shape? 

 Would two of them make a little globe if they were put flat sides together? 



2. What colors do you find on your ladybird? 



3. Do you see the ladybird's head and antenna? What is'rthe broad 

 shield directly back of the head called ? How is it marked, and with what 

 colors? What color are the wing-covers? Are there any spots upon 

 them? How many? Does the ladybird use its wing-covers when it flies? 

 Describe her true wings. Does she fold them beneath the wing-covers? 



4. Note the legs and feet. Are the legs long? Are they fitted for 

 running? To which part of the body are they attached? 



5. If you disturb the ladybird how does she "play possum?" Describe 

 how she makes her toilet. 



The larva — i. Describe the ladybird larva. Does it look like its 

 mother? What is its form? Is it warty and velvety or shiny ? 



2. Describe its head and jaws as far as you can see. How does it act 

 when eating? Can you see its little stiff legs? Is there a claw at the end 

 of each ? 



3. Describe the actions of the ladybird larva in attacking and eating 

 the plant-lice. Does it shed its skin as it grows ? 



4. Watch a larva until it changes to a pupa. How does the pupa 

 look? Can you see the shed skin? Where is it? To what is the pupa 

 attached ? When the pupa skin breaks open what comes out of it ? 



5. Why is the ladybird of great use to us? Write an English theme 

 upon the ladybird, called Vedalia, which saved the orange orchards of 

 California. 



I. Larva; 2, pupa and 5, adult of a species of ladybird, enlarged. 

 The small beetle represents actual size. 



