THE BEAN LADYBIRD. 15 
The first species occurs in abundance throughout the country and 
is our most useful ladybird, having been transported from one part 
of the country to another and to foreign countries. The other two 
are commonly found in the region inhabited by the bean ladybird, 
but more especially in the middle Northwest. Both species, how- 
ever, extend their range to Washington and Oregon. 
The larvae are apparently well protected from insect enemies by 
the branched spines with which the body is armed. In one case, 
however, the larva of a lacewing fly (Chrysopa sp.) was observed 
sucking the juices from a partially grown Epilachna larva. 
No insect enemies of the pupa and no fungous or other disease have 
been observed to affect the living insect in any stage. 
, PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 
HAND PICKING AND BRUSHING. 
The bean ladybird is difficult to control. In small gardens hand- 
picking the eggs, larvse, and adults has given satisfactory results. 
The greatest measure of success has come from gathering and destroy- 
ing the overwintered beetles soon after their emergence from hiberna- 
tion and before they have had an opportunity to deposit eggs. The 
beetles, being sluggish like the Colorado potato beetle, are readily 
hand picked. 
Another method which has afforded some degree of success consists 
in brushing the larvse from the foliage to the earth between the rows. 
This can be accomplished by striking the plants with the bare hand, 
with a bunch of weeds, or with a paddle fashioned for the purpose 
from a shingle. If the brushing is done during dry hot weather 
very few, if any, of the larvae are able to return to the plants. 
CLEAN CULTURAL METHODS. 
With the knowledge that the adults of the bean ladybird pass the 
winter under old vines, tufts of grass, weeds, and other useless mate- 
rial, the numbers of beetles may be materially reduced by burning 
in late fall or early spring all rubbish of this nature along ditches 
and fence corners and in similar locations. Everything possible 
should be done to destroy these winter quarters, as their destruction 
will afford a considerable measure of protection from injury, if done 
by a community year after year. 
EARLY AND LATE PLANTING. 
Proper attention to the time of planting will prevent considerable 
injury by this as well as many other species of insect pests. 
By planting earlier than usual this can be accomplished, as well 
as by planting considerably later, or as late as a crop can be assured. 
Since the overwintered beetles do not begin to feed until very late, 
planting early will accomplish much, enabling the plants to make 
such good growth that insect damage coming late may be immaterial. 
Late planting should be so timed that the plants will come up after 
the overwintered beetles have about ceased feeding and, at the same 
