The Corn-ear Worm. 581 I
corn fields of a yellowish brown beetle with black markings I
" have been inclined to think it the adult of this useful larva.
September 20, 1890, I noted its destruction of the pest as
follows:· “A velvety brown to black beetle larva with yel-
lowish brown head and legs, is common in the ends of corn-
ears, and wherever found with the corn worm the latter is
dead. A number brought in by an assistant to-day with corn
worms had seized the latterland were sucking their juices.
I think it is one of the Telephoridae, perhaps C/zcmliognat/mts
margtinatzcs. It can hardly;] be C. pcimsylvemicus, a species
reputed as an enemy of Aletfict (Alabama) atrgzllaccct, farther
south, for this beetle has not been observed here." It has
been seen occasionally since, but is not generally common.
September 19, 1910, the nsect was again encountered, and .
when placed with a corn x orm seized the latter a short dis-
tance behind the head an began to suck its juices. Since
this useful insect has 1% been reared by me, a few notes
S made at this time may not be out of place as a means,
together with the illustrations, of recognizing it.
` Body, of twelve somites, the terminal one about half the
diameter of the preceding and blunt behind, bearing beneath
a white adhesive structure with which the body is pushed
along. Velvety, opaque black, with several series of whitish
dashes along each side. Head yellowish brown, with a
squarish dusky spot on each side near the base, pubescent,
the anterior half glossy; eyes dusky: antennae brown; jaws
brown at bases, black at tips. Jointed legs pale yellow.
The Common Lady Beetle (Megi/lu muculalu).
One of our commonest lady beetles, the small purple species
less than a fourth inch long, withblack markings, has proved
a constant frequenter of corn, which it visits to feed on the
eggs of the corn-ear worm. Its life—history has long been
known in some fashion, but for Kentucky no observations
relating to it are on record so far as I know.
g It is easy to rear so long as it is provided with an abundance
of suitable food. The larvae were confined in vials and were
fed on plant lice and white fly. The adults were confined in
large rearing jars and the eggs secured from them were
removed as soon as deposited.