OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1886 . 
203 
prominence of any particnlar pest, suitable enemies to keep in 
check the destroyers of the flowers in our gardens, and the crops 
in our fields. 
“ Amongst the most conspicuous and efficient enemies of the 
great Aphis family are the Coccinellse, of which about thirty 
different species are said to have been noticed in England, varying 
among themselves in colour and markings to as great an extent as 
any of our domestic animals. 
“These pretty beetles, well known by the familiar name of 
‘ Lady Birds ’ or ‘ Virgin's Insects ,’ were observed by me during the 
winter of 1884-5, hybemating in the crevices of palings and old 
wood-work, and in dry leaves and grass-tufts upon the ground, in 
companies of thousands ; bunches which would have filled a half¬ 
pint measure congregating together like newly-swarmed bees. 
These little creatures withstood the severity of the winter season 
in a most remarkable manner, no amount of frost or cold seeming 
to injure them. They were observed to remain in their apparently 
dormant condition until the end of April, when they all took their 
departure, whether by flight of wing or otherwise could not be 
ascertained. They had eight black spots on each of their amber- 
coloured wings, arranged in two rows, the four lower spots being 
more or less blended into one continuous blotch. Would the species 
be C. octavumpunctata ? 
“During the present winter of 1885-6 a few solitary lady-birds 
only were noticed, so, if the number of aphis destroyers can be 
relied upon as any indication of what the coming season is likely to 
be, we shall be troubled with fewer aphides than last year. 
“Aphides are said to be able to propagate their kind in mild 
winters, but very severe frost kills them. The severity of the 
winter season just past will, therefore, surely have accomplished 
its work of destruction.” 
Mr. Willis appends the following notes on the past season:— 
“ The year 1886, taken as a whole, has not been so prolific in 
injurious insects as some of the more recent of the preceding years. 
“During the month of May, although the cereal crops were 
generally looking well, we noticed large patches much injured by 
the wire-worm, more particularly on the lighter descriptions of 
soil. There was no difficulty in picking out the spots, from the 
yellowness of the corn-blades, and when the plant was removed a 
wire-worm was invariably found underneath. This destructive grub 
also played sad havoc among the young mangel-wurzel plants on 
some lands during June. A portion of one field was particularly 
noticeable where a heavy dressing. of night-soil manure had been 
applied just previous to the sowing of the seed. My own opinion 
is that it was the too strong manure that destroyed the young plants, 
and that the wire-worm luxuriated there to feed upon the decaying 
roots, not that the wire-worm was the primary cause. I advocate 
that such very strong manures should be applied and ploughed in 
some time before the seed is sown (say the previous autumn). 
“In many places the onion-crop was a partial failure owing to 
