INSECTS AND VEGETABLE PARASITES INJURIOUS TO CROPS 45 \ Ova. Oblong oval, somewhat pointed at one end; yellow, with smooth shiny shell (Fig. 2).

Leiigth 0*8 mm.

Observations. This species infests to a serious extent the ‘ dura ’ in the Sudan (vide Dr. Balfour’s Report). It is also known as the ‘ Asal ’ Fly. It produces a copious flow of honey dew; this and the quantity of black excreta passed out by the aphides smother the leaves and heads to such an extent that the plants die off. I cannot detect any specimens that might be oviparous females or males. The descriptions are drawn up from spirit specimens. The general ground colour of the Aphis is green. Another species (sent me by Mrs. Broun), undoubtedly exists. It came from Kassala, but in too damaged a state to describe. My thanks are due to the U. S. Department of Agriculture for help in this matter.

Natural Enemies. Two Lady Bird Beetles feed both in their larval and adult stages on this pest namely Coccinella undecirnpunctata, the 11-spotted Lady Bird and the Three-lined Lady Bird—Chilomenes vicina Muls.1 (Plate C, Figs. 14 & 15.)

The 11-spotted Lady Bird (Coccinella undecirnpunctata) has a black head with two yellow spots, the clypeus black with yelloiv hair; the pro thorax black with a creamy area on each side, broadest in front; scutellum black. Elytra yellowish red with eleven black spots when closed, the first row of three spots, the large median one being half on each elytron and two curved rows of four spots.

Pronotum and elytra densely, finely and closely punctate. The legs are black and hairy.

Length 4*5 to 5 mm.

The Three-lined Lady Bird (Chilomenes vicina. Muls) has a creamy yellow head and clypeus and black eyes, deeply indented in the prothorax. Prothorax creamy yellow with a black band behind and a black central area connected by a narrow stalk with it, a few dark converging streaks behind the black eyes. Scutellum small and black. Elytra pale ochreous-yellow with a thick black median line, formed by the junction of a black line on each edge of the elytra, and a black curved line on each elytron on its outer half, between which and the narrow black edge are numerous minute black specks. Legs pale yellowish to ochreous. The whole surface of the pronotum and elytra very faintly and minutely punctate.

Length 3*8 to 4*3 mm.

A species of Bassus has been sent with the material, the species of this genus live on Syrphus flies and are thus injurious as the Syrphus flies feed on Aphis during their larval stage, and help the Lady Birds to keep down these pests.

Beneficial Lady Bird Beetles 1 Second Report on Economic Zoology, p. 121, 1904. F. V. Theobald