J. W. ELLIS: LIVERPOOL COLEOPTERA. 



SPH.'ERODERMA, Steph. 



Sphaeroderma cardui, Gyll. Abundant on thistles at Crosby (R.W.) 

 and High town (J.W.E.). 



Fam. CASSIDID^. 

 CASSIDA, L. 



Cassida vibex, L. ( = rubiginosa, Miill.)- Recorded from High- 

 town, September 1862 (F. Archer, diary). 



Cassida sanguinolenta, Fab. I have taken this species on the 

 Aigburth clay-banks, and also on the sand-hills at Wallasey. 



Cassida obsoleta, 111. Southport, September 1864 (B. Cooke, diary). 



PART XIII:— PSEUD OTRIMER A. 



The small but pretty insects comprised in this group are known 

 to ever}^ one, not in England alone, but on all parts of the continent, 

 as ' lady-cows ' or ' lady-birds,' and they form a family now classified 

 as a portion of the great group of Clavicornes, but which were 

 formerly separated under the name given above, from their possessing 

 apparently only three joints in each tarsus — the number being really, 

 however, four, the minute third joint being concealed in the bilobed 

 second. 



The group is not rich in species, only forty-five being included in the 

 British list, and of these I am able to record nineteen as having occurred 

 in this district. The larvae of these insects have to be reckoned 

 among the agriculturists' best friends, for they, and it is said also the 

 perfect 'lady-cows,' feed on aphides or plant-lice, devouring in a 

 short time immense quantities of these injurious insect pests. 



Fam. COCCINELLID^. 



HIPPODAMIA, Muls. 



Hippodamia mutabilis, Scrib. Sometimes ver}^ abundant on the 

 coast sand-hills on both sides of the river. 



COCCINELLA, L. 



Coccinella obliterata, L. I have several times met wuth this very 



distinct species at Eastham and Storeton. 

 Coccinella bipunctata, L. Very abundant everywhere, and so 



variable as to be a perfect puzzle to beginners. 

 Coccinella variabilis, Fab. Very abundant in Eastham Wood, at 



Bidston and Stourton, and on birches on Simmonswood Moss. 

 Coccinella 11-punctata, L. Very abundant, especially on the sand- 



hills . 



July 1887. 



