326 COCCINELLA SP. 

upwards. Above these there are two smaller spots situated on 
each wing case, the outer ones being placed slightly anteriorly 
to the median ones and being slightly smaller. Length 4 inch. 
The ¢ beetle darkens in colour after pairing, the elytra becoming 
almost black and the spots scarcely visible. Pl. XIX, fig. 4, c, 
shows a dorsal view of this lady=bird beetle. 
Life History. 
This insect was found in all its stages of larva, pupa and 
imago in the Siwalik sal forests in the middle of April 1902. 
Probably it is usually a few weeks later in normal years as the 
year in question was particularly favourable to insect develop- 
ment. The exact length of time spent in the larval stage has 
not yet been definitely observed, but it is probable that at least 
3—4 weeks are passed in this state, In the year in question the 
larva commenced pupating about the end of March. Eight and 
nine days is the length of time spent in the pupal stage, larve 
which changed to this state on 16th April, issuing on 24th and 
25th of the month. Numerous others were bred out on other dates, 
and this period appears fairly constant. The beetle appears to 
pass some days, perhaps as much as a fortnight, in this stage 
before pairing. The d insect dies within 24 hours of fertilizing the 
female. The latter then commences egg-laying and apparently 
conceals herself to perform this operation. The eggs have not 
yet been found, but beetles were discovered near the cottony 
masses in which the monophlebus eggs are laid beneath rough 
bark of fallen trees and they may lay their eggs in the same places 
as the scale. The insect in both its larval and beetle forms feeds 
upon and destroys the scale insect MJonophlebus stebbingt. The 
larva is a very active grub running over the leaves, twigs and 
bark of the tree at a great pace in search of its prey. During this 
portion of its existence the insect is not gregarious, the grubs 
never being found together. The larvaisa very voracious feeder 
and attacks and feeds upon the large soft-bodied white scales with 
the greatest avidity. Its method of feeding is as follows: The 
moment the grub sees a scale it goes straight for it and fixes its 
mouth parts in the soft skin of the coccid, often on the ventral 
surface between the first and second pair of legs and a little 
ya 
