120 



INTRODUCTION. 



claws appendiculate or toothed ; epimera of mesosternum irregularly 

 triangular, xuith the apex directed to the front. 



This family comprises the well-known Lady-birds. It is very 

 extensive and contains over 2000 species, as at present known; 

 the greater part of LLese are carnivorous and in both the larval 

 and the perfect state feed on Aphides, scale-insects, and other 

 insects destructive to vegetation. They are therefore often of the 

 greatest economic importance and most valuable allies to the 

 agriculturist; a comparatively small section are plant-feeders, but 

 they rarely do any appreciable damage. 



The coloration is very variable, but for the most part the ground 

 surface is characteristically spotted ; the form is usually round and 

 convex, sometimes almost hemispherical, but often more or less 

 oblong-ovate ; the upper surface is, as a rule, shiny and glabrous ; 

 in certain groups, however, it is distinctly pubescent. The 

 position of the family has been much disputed in the past, and the 

 Coccikellid^e used to be placed in a division called the Trimera 

 or Pseudotrimera, containing certain families that were then sup- 

 posed universally to possess 3-jointed, or apparently 3- jointed, tarsi 

 (Erotyliile, Endomychid^;, Corylophid.e, Sph^ried-yE, Tricho- 

 PTERYTHDiE, LATHRiDiiDyE, and Pselaphidje). They have, how- 

 ever, for some time been rightly placed in the Ciavicorn series 

 and come near the Exdomychld.e. 



The larvae vary in the different groups. Those of the insecti- 

 vorous forms are active, somewhat brightly coloured, broad in 

 front and narrow behind, and covered with more or less distinct 

 spines and tubercles ; before pupating, the larva (at any rate, in 

 many cases) attaches its last segment to a leaf by means of a 

 viscous substance which it secretes and bends the anterior portion 

 of the body up towards the apical portion ; the tubercles then 

 diminish in size, and the skin splits on the back and shrinks into a 

 wrinkled mass towards the apex of the body. The larva? of the 

 genus Scymnus and its allies, which in spite of their small size are 

 very predaceous, have the power of exuding a waxy secretion, 

 which is easily rubbed off, but can be renewed within twenty-four 

 hours ; it arises from pits on the surface of the insect, and takes 

 the place of the ordinary spines. Reaumur first observed this, 

 and called the larvae in consequence " Berissons Wanes" or 

 u Barbets blanes" The larva? of the plant-feeders are of different 

 and simpler shape, and less active. 



With regard to the distribution of the group it is worth w T hile 

 quoting again the words of Mr. Gorham *, who has worked at the 

 group more than any writer of recent years : — " The distribution 

 is very remarkable and different to either of the two groups just 

 mentioned (EndomychidyE and Erotylid^;), being, if I may call it 

 so, more universal, every known part of the globe which supports 

 any insect-life having, as far as I can speak, an average number. 



* Vide Coleop. Brit. Islands, iii, p. 155. 



