11 



land. I tested the above larva? with specimens of Aspidiotus aurantii 

 Mask, and with Lecanium liemeridum Linn., and they fed sparingly 

 upon them. The next day I placed these larvae and the adult speci- 

 men upon a tree thickly infested with the Lecanium; this tree I have 

 examined at intervals, but at the last examination did not find any of 

 these ladybirds in any of their stages either npon this or any of the 

 adjacent trees. Still, it is possible that they are established here, but 

 in such small numbers that it is difficult to find them, the insects also 

 being small and inconspicuous. 



The two specimens of Leis antipodum received with the above 1 tested 

 with several different kinds of scale-insects, but they did not appear 

 to attack any of them and died on the 20th of the following month 

 without having deposited eggs. All of the other insects which came 

 in this consignment were dead when I received them. 



With the above consignment was received, October 30, 1891, the fol- 

 lowing letter, dated Auckland, New Zealand, October 8, 1891: 



By this steamer I send a number of Scvninids. several species, and but two sin.;].' 

 Leis antipodum, which I wanted very badly. 



I think it would be a good idea to feed them up at first in large glass jars with 

 Lecanium hesperidum and Bed Scale; bnt do as yon think best, yet let the insects 

 have light and air besides food, 



Please write to me how they arrived and what they feed npon. Let me particu- 

 larly know about the Leis, should they arrive living. Give, them Lecanium hesperidum 

 and L. olecB. I think they will feed on these, if anything. 



As it looks, these little beetles have not much of life in them; they are probably 

 hibernated insects, and through with life; yet the larva- may be all right. I hope 

 for the best. 



Am very well at present and hope to do much better by next steamer. It is too 

 early here as yet, and Sydney I will find warm, if not already hot. — ALBERT KOEBBLE, 



Under date of November 3, 1891, I wrote to Mr. Koebele, giving an 

 account of the condition of the insects when received by me, and 

 advising him to always pack the insects in Sphagnum moss, as those 

 packed in this manner had reached me in much better condition than 

 had those packed in paper cut into fine strips. As there was no address 

 given in his letter, I simply addressed my letter to him at Auckland, 

 New Zealand, but in the month of May of the following year it was 

 returned to me by the post-oftice officials, having for some reasons failed 

 to reach him. 



The next consignment of insects reached me on the 28th of Novem- 

 ber, 1891, and the boxes, with the single exception of one from Sydney, 

 Australia, were marked as having been tilled at Parramatta, Aus- 

 tralia, between the 23d and 30th of October, L891, With this con- 

 signment was received the following letter, dated Sydney, Australia, 

 November 1, 18 ( .)1 : 



You will receive bj Wells, Fargo & Co. a lot of insects, all Coocinellidss. Please 



select an orchard badly infested with the Red Scale, and also some Black Scal< 

 many of the things feed on this as well as Leoaniun hesperidum. Tnrn all the things 



loose ill such an orchard. There are plenty of them to start with. 



