INSECT PESTS 159 



ends. The larvae as they emerge from the 

 eggs soon begin to feed on very small in- 

 sects. Their body is long, very rough, 

 hairy, and dark with red or yellow mark- 

 ings on its back. As soon as they reach 

 maturity they attach themselves by the 

 tail end to some twig and there pupate. 

 From this stage emerges the adult lady 

 beetle. The sexes mate and the females 

 lay the eggs which are to begin a new life 

 cycle (fig. 33 a toe). 



FIG. 33. THE CONVERGENT LADY BEETLE (Hippodomia COfl- 



vergens) an enemy of the sweet pea aphis, a 



ADULT BEETLE. b PUPA. C LARVA. (AFTER CHITTEN- 

 DEN.) 



