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A. bipunctata , L. —This beetle may be found almost everywhere— 
in our gardens, parks, fields, river banks, and indeed in any place 
where herbage or trees grow. In choice of prey it is undoubtedly the 
least dainty of the Ladybird tribe, as it will devour nearly every species 
of Aphides which infest our fruit trees, flowers, and food crops. In the 
vficinity of hop grounds, it is surprising what immense quantities of A. 
bipunctata are to be met with. I remember on one occasion while 
visiting Farnham (Surrey) that the insects swarmed in great numbers 
in the windows, houses, and churches in that district. Other Ladybird 
species, such as Coccinella 10-punctata and C. 7- punctata , were also 
present, but not in such profusion as A. bipunctata. The whole of 
these three species will devour the “ Hop Aphis ” ( Phorodon humuli ), 
but the last is by far the most useful in hop plantations. The 
migratory habits of the two-spot Ladybird are so well known that it 
is needless to enlarge on the subject. Suffice it to say, however, that 
the Ladybirds appear to follow the swarms of Aphides. Nevertheless, 
there is just one fact in connection with this subject that may be worthy 
of note. In 1888 Professor Riley, the eminent American entomo¬ 
logist, specially reported on the life-history of the “ Hop Aphis,” and 
confirmed the statement made by Mr. Francis Walker (in 1848) that 
the Aphis migrates in the autumn from the hop to the wild or cultivated 
plum (where the eggs are laid), and then back again to the hop plant 
in the spring. Owing to this statement certain cultivators rather lost 
their heads, and it was suggested that the plum tree, wild and culti¬ 
vated, should be exterminated. What I should like to impress upon 
cultivators is this : Supposing that the plum trees be condemned in 
order to deprive the “ Hop Aphis” of its hybernating refuge, how are 
we to prevent immigration of the Aphides ? Probably, after we have 
sacrificed one of our best fruits, the number of Aphides in hop 
plantations would be found as great as ever. The subject certainly 
requires much further investigation before such drastic remedies 
are resorted to. It must also be borne in mind that hop 
cultivation has ever been precarious, and that the plants are largely 
affected by the weather ; therefore, given genial weather and proper 
cultivation, 1 the hop plant, aided by the Ladybirds, would doubtless 
recover from the attacks of Aphides , and a good crop would be the 
result. 
Mysia, Mulsant— M. oblongo-guttata , L. (formerly Coccinella oblongo- 
guttata ), is one of the large species which devour the Aphides frequenting 
fir trees. It is local rather than common. It occurs at Esher, 
Farnham, and other parts of Surrey ; Delamere Forest and fir woods 
in Cheshire district (W. E. Sharp) ; Hastings; and fir plantations 
generally. 
Anantis, Mulsant.—Our species, A. ocellata , L., is the largest of the 
British Ladybirds. When alive, the black spots on the elytra are 
surrounded by white or yellow rings, which become indistinct after 
death. This beetle may be found in similar localities to A. oblongo- 
guttata, and frequently in company with it. 
Coccinella, Linne.—This genus formerly contained two-fifths of the 
entire British species, but in the present arrangement six only are 
1 The meaning intended by this term includes burning the dead bines and general 
rubbish of the hop grounds. In America, repressive measures form part of the 
cultivation of potatoes.—G. A. L. 
