PART IV. 1 
which almost disappears during the rains, in the dry seasons however, 
it sometimes multiplies so abundantly as to be able to effect a great 
amount of good. Three of the other species are at times locally 
abundant, and two of these appear better able to withstand the wet 
weather. The remaining ones are all more or less scarce. As a 
general rule the Psocoptera perhaps thrive better under shade. 
OrDER Neuroptera. 
Famiy Hemerobiide (Brown Lace-wings). 
There are probably four species of this family known to feed on 
the mealy-bug, but none of them is sufficiently common to be of much 
importance. 
Famy Chrysopide (Green Lace-wings). 
Two species are known, one, Notochrysa antica, Walk? is scarce, 
but the other, Chrysopa sp., is at times very abundant. It appears 
to be most common during dry weather and on plantations which are 
not shaded. 
Famiwy Coniopterygide. 
One species is known, but it is scarce and of no importance. 
OrbER Lepidoptera (Moths). 
Eublemma costimacula, Saalm, is a common predator on Green 
Scale (Lecanium africanum), but it is not infrequently found 
destroying mealy-bug, on which it appears to be increasing in 
numbers. Its larvae are very voracious, and should it be able to 
become abundant, this species would account for large quantities of 
mealy-bugs. There is one other (unnamed) moth of which the larve 
eat mealy-bug; it is, however, not common. There are also two other 
moths the larve of which are sometimes found in clusters of mealy- 
bug, but they appear to be scavengers and not to eat the living bugs. 
OrpER Coleoptera (Beetles). 
Faminy Coccinellide (Lady-birds). 
Sixteen species of these most useful insects have been found 
feeding on mealy-bug. These are: 
Dysis 4-lineata, Sicard. Scarce. 
Chilomenes vicina, Muls. Uncommon. 
Chilomenes lunata, F. 
Alesia aurora, Gerst. (These last two are mainly aphis-feeders, 
but they readily take to mealy-bug, and, particularly C. lunata, are 
increasingly to be found on this pest.) 
Alesia posticalis, Frm. Apparently scarce. 
Chilocorus discoideus, Crotch. Not common. 
Chilocorus angolensis, Crotch. Abundant and universally 
distributed over the infected areas. Perhaps the most useful of all 
the lady-birds. 
Ezochomus nigromaculatus, Goeze. Commonest on Green Scale, 
but also fairly frequent on mealy-bug. 
Hyperaspis senegalensis, Muls. Also on Green Scale, but it is 
common on mealy-bug provided only that the ant Pheidole punctulata 
1s absent. 
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