COLEOPTERA OH BEETLES. 



147 



species (C. decem-punctata), and the 7-spotted species (C sejotein- 

 punctata) (fig. 68, 9), which may be found all over England. 

 The eyed lady-bird (C. ocellata), one of our largest species, may 

 also be often seen in hop-gardens, and feeding off the larch and 

 other coniferous plant-lioe. This species can be told from the 

 other large ones by the eight black spots on the elytra being sur- 

 rounded with a yellowish band. The genus Scymnus, another 

 group of Coccinellidse, also do much good by devouring scales. 

 A minute black lady-bird {Scymnus minimus) has been recorded 

 by Miss Ormerod as feeding on plant-lice and red-spiders as 



Fifi. 68. — Lady-birds {Coccinellida'). 



1, Oya on leaf; ?, epg magnified ; 3, larva ("nigger") ; 4, natural size ; 5, 6, pupte ; 

 7, Adalia bi-punctata ; 8, variety of A. bi-punctata ; 9, Coceinella septem-punctata. 

 (Curtis.) 



well. These useful beetles lay their creamy-white eggs (1) in 

 the spring upon a variety of plants. They are deposited in 

 groups closely applied together, and hatch out into the larvse 

 in from ten to fifteen days. The larvae, called " niggers " 

 (3 and 4), are smoky black or grey, with yellow or orange and 

 wliite markings on their bodies. They are extremely active, 

 and pursue the plant -lice with considerable agility. The 

 "nigger" has six jointed legs in front, and the surface of the 

 body is more or less rough, and slightly hairy. "When mature 

 these beneficial creatures attach themselves by their tail with 

 silk to the under-side of a leaf, and then change into the short, 

 plump, black and creamy-white pupa (5 and 6) : in the early 



