PRACTICAL PAPERS—COLORADO POTATO BUG. 387 
less than four distinct species of Ladybird—the spotted Lady¬ 
bird ( Hippodamia maculata , DeGeer, Fig. 47,) the nine-marked 
Ladybird ( Coccinella 9 -notata, Herbst, Fig. 48,) the thirteen-dot- 
ted Ladybird (Hippodamia 12>-punctata, Linn., Fig. 49,) and the 
convergent Ladybird (Hippodamia convergens, Guer.) This last 
Fig. 50. 
Colors— (a) blue, orange 
species, the three stages of which are repre¬ 
sented of the natural size, in Fig. 50, (a the 
larva, b the pupa, and c the beetle,) is rather 
a rare insect in north Illinois, though it is> 
common enough in south Illinois and Mis¬ 
souri. Its pupa (Fig. 50 5,) which is at- 
redandbfaciifccYorange tached to the leaves of the plant upon 
red, black and white. w hich the larva has lived, might be readi¬ 
ly mistaken for that of the potato bug larva. The larvae of all 
these Ladybirds are far more blood-thirsty in their habits than 
the perfect beetles; and as they all have a strong resemblance, 
Figs. 50 a and 51 will give a sufficient good idea of them all. 
Fig. 51. They run with considerable speed, and may be 
found in great numbers upon almost all kinds of t 
herbage. The larvae of certain species that prey 
upon the Hop Plant-louse in the east are well 
known to the hop-pickers as “ black niggers ” or 
“serpents,” and are carefully preserved by them 
Colors— Black - J 1 J 
and orange. a s some of their most efficient friends. 
The eggs of Ladybirds greatly resemble those of the Colo¬ 
rado potato bug. and are scarcely distinguishable except by 
their smaller size and by a much smaller number being usu- - 
ally collected together in a single group. As these eggs are 
often laid in the same situation as those of the potato-feeding 
insect, care must be taken by persons who undertake to de¬ 
stroy the latter, not to confound those of their best friends 
with those of their bitterest enemies. 
In the larva state the Colorado potato bug is extensively de¬ 
predated on, both in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, by the spined - 
soldier-bug (Arma spinosa , Dallas, Fig. 52 b.) Thrusting for¬ 
wards his long and stout beak, he sticks it into his victim, and 
22 —Ag. Tr. 
