13 



Scymnids, one hundred and seventy-five specimens of Alcsia fr omnia, 

 twenty-four specimens of a large, reddish-yellow Coccinellid having six 

 irregular spots besides the elytral suture black, three specimens of 

 Novius Jccebelei, twelve small black ones having a large red spot on each 

 elytron, twenty-two specimens of a black Scymnid having only the 

 apex of the abdomen red. 



I tested them with a great variety of different kinds of insects, and 

 ascertained that the Alesia — the yellowish one with six elytral black 

 spots — the Cryptolsemus, and the black one with two elytral red spots, 

 all fed upon the Cabbage Aphis (Aphis brassicce). Accordingly, I turned 

 them loose in a field of cabbages thickly infested with these Aphides. 

 The Novius I placed in a jar containing Iceryas; the remaining speci- 

 mens I placed on the orange tree under the tent where I had placed the 

 previous consignment. 



On the 30th of December, 1891, I wrote Mr. Koebele as follows: 



The two packages of insects which you sent me from Sydney reached me in very poor 

 condition. In your first sending were only four living Orcus chahjheus, and in the 

 last sending three. Of Orcus australasiw, five were alive in the first lot, but only one 

 in the last. As these are the two species that we look to for ridding the infested 

 trees of the Red Scale, it would be well to pay especial attention to them in your next 

 sending. Try especially to send the pupa?, as these withstand the voyage better 

 than the adult beetles. The square boxes with sliding lids are better for sending 

 them in than are the smaller circular ones. I noticed that those packed in Sphag- 

 num moss came through in better condition than those you packed in paper cut into 

 strips. A good plan would be, to place in the bottom of the box a thin layer of damp 

 Sphagnum, then twigs infested with the scales, after this the ladybirds, placing on 

 the top another thin layer of Sphagnum. 



Packages intended for me should be addressed tome at 236 Winston street, so that 

 the express company will not have any difficulty iu delivering them. — D. W. Co- 



QUILLETT. 



The next consignment of insects reached me January 23, 1892, and was 

 accompanied by the following letter, dated Sydney, Australia, Decem- 

 ber 28, 1891: 



A lot more of Coccinellids, to be let loose in same place as previously. Also a num- 

 ber of things in one box, to breed in confinement. Do not open boxes outside of room 

 or with open windows. The parasites will not only destroy these larva*, but all or any 

 Coccinellid. I hope you see the point, and I trust to you not to let any escape. Also, 

 more larva) and pupa) of T.cocciphaga. Feed Coccinellid larva 1 from Whitton on 

 Lecanium, as also those of 0. australasia. 



Why did you not write about the New Zealand insects f — Albert Koeuele. 



In this consignment were four hundred living adults of Orcus ehaly- 

 beusj seventy-live of which I placed on the orange tree under the tent, 

 and liberated the remainder in the orange grove adjoining this tree 

 this grove being very thickly infested with Aspidiotus aurantii. The 

 consignment also contained forty-five adults and thirty six living pupse 

 of Orcus australasiw ; twenty-two of these I placed on the orange tree 

 under the tent, while the balance were placed on an ash tree thickly 

 infested with Lecanium olece. I retained the pupa) in my office until 



