Direct attacks from animal enemies are not frequent. Whether from some inherent distastefulness, or from the difficulty of getting at them, Coccids are scarcely subject to being directly devoured. There are a few exceptions. Under the puparia of _Mytilaspis pomorum_ a minute white Acarus (mite) may often be found, and it is noticeable that where it abounds the eggs of the Coccid are often shrivelled or empty. It is not improbable that this Acarus may feed on the eggs. It appears to belong to the genus _Tyroglyphus_, a mite which is not usually carnivorous; but Mr. A. Michael, an authority on mites, seems to be uncertain whether _Tyroglyphus_ may not make a meal of the Coccid.[H] No others amongst the Diaspidinæ appear to be directly attacked, nor any of the Lecanidinæ; but amongst a number of _Dactylopius glaucus_ on a leaf there may often be seen a minute caterpillar, apparently covered with many tufts of hair. This is the larva of the common ladybird (_Coccinella_), a beetle which, in both the larval and perfect states, feeds on Aphides, Coccids, and other insects. The larva may sometimes be seen holding a _Dactylopius_ in its powerful jaws and devouring it. Another larva, smooth and without hairs, performs the same functions--it is the young of a small dipterous fly, apparently one of the _Syrphidæ_, insects also predatory; but this seems to be rare. In America, similar larvæ are said to feed upon the "black scale" (_Lecanium oleæ_). In this country, as far as is yet known, Lecanidæ are not directly attacked by the ladybirds. [H] Quart. Journ. Royal Micros. Soc., Feb., 1885.