Chapter VI (2)

The adult female fills the test, shrivelling up after gestation: it is consequently flat beneath, convex above, with general outline of Lecanidinæ. The spiracular spines are very long and conspicuous; from their base a double row of minute circular spinneret orifices runs as far as the spiracle, with two or three outlying ones at the base of the spine; and a single row of the same kind of orifices runs across the body to the spiracle on the other side. Along the edge of the body there is a series of conical sharp spines; and scattered all over are many tubular projecting spinnerets. The abdominal cleft is deep, and the two lobes are conspicuous on the dorsal side; these lobes are not smooth, but irregular, and each bears at the end three or four strong spines. The antennæ have six joints; but the third joint often looks like two on account of the false division or depressed ring: the last joint has several long hairs. Feet normal; the upper digitules fine long hairs, the lower pair very broad. The anal ring bears a number of long hairs, of which eight seem to be conspicuous. The colour of the insect is a golden brown; diameter averaging 1/12in.

The second stage of the female is normal of the genus, showing the wavy outline, somewhat strongly marked in many specimens, but not conspicuous in others. The spiracular spines are prominent, and a row of conical spines runs round the edge of the body, as in the adult. The test is at first very thin and brittle, and with a fringe of broad, shallow segments; but afterwards becomes thicker, and in the end, before the change to the final stage, it approaches almost the form of the waxy test of an adult _Ceroplastes_.

The young insect is normal.

The adult male is normal of the genus. The legs are very long and slender; the four digitules are fine hairs. At the extremity of the tibia there is a strong spine. Abdominal spike, or sheath of the penis, slightly curved, with a seta on each side of its basal tubercle. Antennæ of ten joints; the first two very short, the rest longer and equal. On the last joint are several long hairs, of which three are knobbed.

Habitat--On _Brachyglottis repanda_, _Panax arboreum_, _Leptospermum scoparium_ (manuka), _Elæocarpus dentatus_ (hinau); Wellington.

The species is distinguishable by the shape and colour of the test and the arrangement of the spinnerets, in the adult female. The tests of the second stage may sometimes be taken for adult _Ceroplastes rusci_, Linn.; but can be easily distinguished on examination of the enclosed insect.

35. Ctenochiton fuscus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 131.
(Plate VII., Fig. 6.)

Test of the adult female elliptical in outline, flat below, convex above, the elevation being greater than usual; almost black in colour, composed of a thin dark waxy secretion. The fringe is conspicuous, and has the appearance of teeth, the segments being sharply triangular and set closely together. Length of test sometimes nearly 1/4in., breadth 1/7in., height 1/10in. Inside of the test whitish.

Test of male glassy, white, elongated, slightly convex.

Adult female filling the test, shrivelling at gestation. Antennæ short, probably seven-jointed, but the joints are confused; on the last joint several hairs. Foot having the tibia expanded at the extremity; upper digitules strong and thick, lower pair ending in conspicuously broad plates. On the edge of the body a row of conical spines. Colour almost black.

In the second stage the female is less wavy in outline than in other species of the genus, and in its later period is somewhat thick, with the edges turned inwards. Feet normal; digitules fine. Antennæ short and thick, with six joints, of which the third and fourth are the longest; on the last joint some long hairs. The abdominal lobes are irregularly triangular.

Young insect normal.

Adult male unknown.

Habitat--On _Brachyglottis repanda_, _Panax arboreum_; Port Hills, Canterbury (Dry Bush).

Distinguished by its large size, great convexity, and black colour, which is not due to fungoid growths, although these, as usual, accompany it.

36. Ctenochiton hymenantheræ, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 25.
(Plate VIII., Fig. 1.)

Test of adult female waxy, circular, convex, dirty-white, yellow, or brownish, formed of a number of hexagonal or octagonal segments, which are also convex, giving it a rough appearance. Fringe not very conspicuous. Diameter of test, about 1/12in.

Test of male glassy, dirty-white, oval, segmented, slightly convex, segments of fringe small. Length, about 1/16in.

Adult female yellowish-brown, filling the test. Antennæ of six joints, of which both the second and third seem sometimes double. Foot normal; upper digitules long fine hairs, lower pair broad. The spiracular spines are strong and conspicuous. The skin is divided into segments corresponding with those of the test, the divisions being marked by lines of spinneret orifices which are small and simple.

In the second stage the usual wavy edge of the genus is not generally apparent.

Adult male somewhat thick and short. Antennæ of nine joints, the first short and thick, the remainder long and nearly equal; each joint after the first has many nodosities, from which spring longish hairs. Foot long and slender, especially the tibia. Digitules fine hairs. Thoracic band inconspicuous. Abdominal spike short and blunt.

This species is usually accompanied by a great quantity of very black fungus covering and rendering unsightly the whole plant on which it lives.

Habitat--On _Hymenanthera crassifolia_, Evans Bay, Wellington.

This insect seems to be intermediate between _C. piperis_ and _C. depressus_, differing from both in the rugose female test and the distribution of the spinneret orifices.

37. Ctenochiton perforatus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 280; Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 130.
(Plate VIII., Fig. 2.)

Test of adult female white, waxy, circular, nearly flat, brittle, thin except at the edge. Fringe thin, segments broadly triangular. Diameter nearly 1/6in. The test is divided by narrow lines of minute spots, corresponding to the spinneret orifices of the insect, into rows of pentagonal or hexagonal segments. The interior segments are only dotted, but the exterior row exhibits curvilinear series of small perforations or air-cells arranged in slightly radiating rows, which extend also to the corresponding segments of the fringe.

The test of the second stage of the female is very thin and filmy, waxy, flat, slightly elongated; the fringe as in the adult; but there are no perforations or air-cells. Length, about 1/14in.

Test of male waxy, thin, slightly elongated, rather convex; length, about 1/15in. Fringe and air-cells as in the female test. At the abdominal end is a joint or hinge separating the last segment.

Adult female filling the test, shrivelling at gestation; colour greyish or greenish-white. General appearance somewhat leathery. Rows of minute oval spinnerets run round the edge and across the body, corresponding with the divisions of the test. Antennæ of six joints, the third joint being the longest, and seeming double on account of the depressed ring: on the last joint some hairs. Feet normal, with somewhat thick coxæ and femora: upper digitules long; lower pair narrow. Anal ring with eight hairs. A row of scattered small hairs runs round the edge of the body.

Female of second stage very thin and transparent, seeming like a bluish-green film. The wavy edge is conspicuous. Antennæ of six joints.

Adult male yellowish. Antennæ nine-jointed, every joint except the first bearing several hairs. Feet normal; upper digitules not long, lower pair fine hairs. Thoracic band conspicuous and long. Abdominal spike short.

Habitat--On _Pittosporum eugenioide_, _P. tenuifolium_, _Panax arboreum_, _Coprosma lucida_, _Rubus_, &c., Riccarton Bush, Christchurch; Nelson; Dunedin; Wellington.

38. Ctenochiton piperis, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XIV., 1881, p. 218; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 25.
(Plate VIII., Fig. 3.)

Test of adult female circular, convex, regularly tessellated in hexagonal segments; fringe not very regular, sometimes almost or quite absent; waxy, somewhat thick; diameter, about 1/15in. Colour variable; outer parts white, yellow, or greenish-white, central segments purplish.

Test of second stage of female waxy, very thin, flat, with fringe of broadly triangular segments: no air-cells. Length, about 1/30in.

Test of male elongated, convex, glassy, segmented. Length, about 1/20in. Slightly coloured like that of the female.

Adult female filling the test. Colour corresponding with that of the test. At gestation the under-side becomes hollow, and the young are sheltered beneath it for awhile. Antennæ seven-jointed; on the last joint several hairs. Feet normal; lower digitules rather broad. Round the dorsal surface, half-way between the centre and the edge, is a row of swellings[O] or tubercles.

[O] Possibly spiracular.

Female of second stage elongated, the cephalic portion narrower than the abdomen; flat, thin; edge wavy; stigmatic spines rather stout; a few small spines on the edge. Antennæ six-jointed; feet normal.

Young insect of normal form, but with numerous minute wrinkles on the edge of the body.

Adult male greenish-yellow; antennæ nine-jointed. Foot normal, with somewhat thick tarsus. Penis ending in a round, somewhat large knob.

Habitat--On _Piper excelsum_ (kawakawa); Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wellington.

The regularly-circular form and coloured segments of the female test, and the tubercles of the dorsum, distinguish this species.

39. Ctenochiton viridis, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 211; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 24.
(Plate IX., Fig. 1.)

Test of adult female absent or fragmentary; very thin, waxy, white, divided into pentagonal or hexagonal segments, each of which exhibits numerous concentric wavy curves, crossed by straight lines radiating from the centre;[P] the segments are separated by double lines of minute spots, corresponding to the spinneret orifices of the insect. No air-cells. Fringe seldom visible.

[P] The radiating lines and concentric curves of these segments are usually somewhat conspicuous, at least on the adult female, and serve to distinguish the test from that of _C. elongatus_, which otherwise resembles it.

Test of female of second stage very thin, white, waxy, flat, divided into segments with concentric curves and radiating lines as in the adult. Fringe of broad segments. No air-cells. Length, about 1/15in.

Test of male glassy, white, elongated, slightly convex, divided into segments similarly marked to those of the female. Abdominal segments separated from the test by a transverse line, or hinge. Length, about 1/6in.

Adult female bright-green in colour, thick, elongated or pyriform, the cephalic portion somewhat acuminate; length sometimes reaching 1/2in. It produces a conspicuous depression in the leaf, in which the body is partially buried. Antennæ of six joints (apparently seven, but the third joint shows the false division or depressed ring), often atrophied. Feet normal, coxæ and femora thick. After gestation the insect frequently becomes brown, covered with a mass of white mealy or felted secretion.

Female of the second stage thin, filmy, translucent; flat, elongated, with wavy outline; colour green; length, about 1/20in. Antennæ of six joints.

Adult male greenish-yellow; length, about 1/15in. Antennæ of nine joints. Feet normal; digitules absent. A strong spine at the extremity of the tibia.

Habitat--On _Panax arboreum_, _Coprosma lucida_, _Hedycarya dentata_, _Atherosperma Novæ-Zælandiæ_, _Rubus australis_; Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, Nelson, Auckland, Hawke's Bay.

This is probably the largest known species of the Lecanidinæ. Its size and bright-green colour in the adult state clearly distinguish it. The female of the second stage resembles nearly that of _Ct. perforatus_, but is somewhat thicker, and the markings of the segments of the test are different.

Genus: INGLISIA, Maskell.

N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 213.

Test of female glassy, elevated, striated with radiating rows of air-cells. Fringe not always present in the adult stage.

In the genus _Fairmairia_, Signoret, there is also an elevated test, but it is waxy, and exhibits no air-cells, and has no fringe in any stage.

40. Inglisia leptospermi, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XIV., 1881, p. 220; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 27.
(Plate IX., Fig. 2.)

Test of adult female white, glassy or waxy, elongated, convex above, flat and open beneath, formed of several agglutinated segments, each segment more or less convex or conical, median segments usually five in number; at the edge an irregular fringe, but the fringe is often absent. Average length of test, 1/10in. The marginal segments sometimes assume the form of small cones, as if a number of secondary tests were attached to the principal one. All the segments are marked with striæ radiating from the apex of each: the striæ, which are composed of air-cells, widen from the apex to the base.

Test of the male white, glassy, elongated, convex, not unlike that of the female, but with a longer fringe; it has also its posterior segment divided from the rest by a transverse slit or hinge; average length, about 1/15in.

Adult female filling the test, shrivelling at gestation; colour brown; abdominal lobes yellow, conspicuous. The flat under-surface is smooth; the dorsum divided by large corrugations, each segment corresponding to one in the test. Antennæ of seven joints, of which the third is the longest, the fourth, fifth, and sixth the shortest; a few hairs, especially on the last joint. Feet normal; the tibia is somewhat thin, and has one spine or hair at its tip. Digitules normal; upper pair long knobbed hairs, lower pair very broad.

The female in the second stage is also convex above, flat below, but is less thick than the adult, and has not the corrugations. General form elongated-oval; the abdominal lobes are not, as usual, smooth, but approach by irregularity the anal tubercles of the Coccidinæ, and like them bear a few hairs. The anal ring has eight hairs. Antennæ of six joints. Feet normal; digitules as in adult. On the skin are several scattered, circular, very minute spinnerets; the stigmatic spines are long and conspicuous, and along the edge runs a row of conical hairs or spines.

Adult male yellowish-green in colour, the body slender and tapering. From the abdomen spring two very long white cottony setæ, one on each side of the spike, which is straight and short. Antennæ of ten joints; the first two short, the rest long, thin, and hairy. Of these, the seventh, eighth, and ninth are the shortest; on the last joint three long knobbed hairs. Feet slender, hairy; digitules normal. Thoracic band inconspicuous.

Habitat--On _Leptospermum scoparium_ (manuka); Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Wellington, Auckland. It affects the twigs of the plant, and not the leaves.

41. Inglisia ornata, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 27.
(Plate X., Fig. 1.)

Test of adult female reddish-brown, the base more or less oval, the rest elevated in a cone and ending in a prominence standing up like a more or less sharp horn; sometimes there are two of these horns. The test is formed of a number of polygonal segments, each slightly elevated, and all are marked with the radiating striæ peculiar to the genus. There is a fringe of sharply triangular segments, also striated. Average length of test, about 1/6in., but specimens attain a length of 1/4in.; height, about 1/10in.

Test of second stage generally resembling that of the adult, but smaller and less conical, and more tinged with green; and at the edge a number of short spinneret tubes may be seen protruding.

Test of the male elongated-oval, convex, but wanting the prominent horn of the female, glassy, white tinged with yellowish-brown, composed of segments marked with conspicuous striæ. Length, 1/12in. Fringe often present, but irregular; often absent.

The adult female fills the test, shrivelling after gestation. It exhibits the horn, or two horns, as in the test. Antennæ of seven joints, the third joint showing the false division noted in other species of Lecanodiaspidæ. Feet normal; upper digitules strong and thick, lower pair rather broad. Along the edge of the body is a row of sharp lanceolate spines set closely together, and the spiracular spines are long and conspicuous. A double or triple row of minute circular spinnerets marks the divisions corresponding to the segments of the test. Colour of the insect greenish, turning brown after gestation. The abdominal lobes are brown.

In the second stage the female resembles generally the adult; but the antennæ have six joints, and amongst the marginal spines are some very much larger than the rest.

The young larva is flat and oval, and at the margin shows a fringe of long glassy pointed tubes, springing from the marginal spines.

The adult male is about 1/20in. in length (exclusive of the wings), brownish or reddish-yellow in colour, the wings hyaline and iridescent, with red nervures. Antennæ of ten joints, on the last of which are, amongst others, three long knobbed hairs. Foot with a spine at the extremity of the tibia; digitules fine hairs. At each side of the abdominal spike springs a strong seta, from which extends a white cottony pencil, as long as the body of the insect. The penis is a long soft cylindrical tube covered with minute recurved spines. Thoracic band short and narrow.

Habitat--On _Elæocarpus dentatus_ (hinau), _Leptospermum scoparium_ (manuka); Wellington.[Q]

[Q] The male pupæ may be found not unfrequently on other plants, such as _Coprosma_, _Pittosporum_, &c.

This is a handsome species: the colour and the horns of the test are clear distinctions.

42. Inglisia patella, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 213; Vol. XIV., 1881, p. 219.
(Plate X., Fig. 2.)

Test of adult female conical or limpet-shaped, white, glassy, slightly elongated, striated with rows of air-cells radiating from the apex, and increasing in size to the edge. Length of test, about 1/14in.; height, about 1/40in. The edge is usually very wavy.

Test of male similar, but a little smaller and more elongated.

Adult female filling the test, shrivelling at gestation. Colour greenish-yellow. Edge wavy, corresponding to the curves of the test. Antennæ very short, six-jointed; on the last three joints some hairs. Feet normal; upper digitules very long, lower pair narrow. On the edge of the body is a row of spines, of which each alternate one is conical, the remainder club-shaped; the edge seems double or ribbon-like, and inside it is a row of spinnerets, beyond which is a narrow line of short regular curves. Abdominal cleft wide and circular above, the extremities almost meeting. Anal ring with eight long hairs.

Female of second stage flattish, elongated, wavy-edged; not exhibiting alternate conical and clavate spines.

Young larva naked, flat, active; round the edge a row of clavate spines, but no conical spines. Length, about 1/50in.

Adult male greenish-yellow; length, 1/24in. Antennæ of ten joints, all except the first bearing hairs. Foot normal; digitules fine hairs. Abdominal spike about half the length of the abdomen, with two long white setæ springing from the basal tubercle.

Habitat--On _Coprosma lucida_, Riccarton Bush, Christchurch; _Drimys colorata_, (plentifully) on hill above Lyttelton; _Atherosperma_, Wellington.

A very pretty little species, clearly distinguished by the form of the test and the alternate spines of the adult female.

Subdivision II.--LECANIDÆ.

Female insects naked in all stages; form variable; apodous in adult stage, or retaining the feet; viviparous or oviparous, with or without attached ovisac; abdominal cleft and lobes always present. Male pupæ in some cases covered with waxy secretion.

Genus: LECANIUM, Illiger.

Females naked, flat or convex; viviparous or oviparous; propagating without ovisac; arboreal.

Dr. Signoret (loc. cit., 1873, p. 396) divides the genus into six series, as follows:--

(1.) Species flat, usually viviparous; example, _L. hesperidum_.

(2.) Species more or less convex, elongated; example, _L. persicæ_.

(3.) Species more or less globular, the skin tessellated; example,
_L. aceris_.

(4.) Species more or less globular, the skin perforated with oval
markings; example, _L. hemisphæricum_.

(5.) Species rugose, with dorsal keels; example, _L. oleæ_.

(6.) Species globular, with cleft beneath for attachment to twigs;
example, _L. emerici_.

The following are the only species reported as yet in New Zealand; but the genus is so widely spread and the species are so numerous that doubtless many others will hereafter occur in this country.

43. Lecanium depressum, Targioni-Tozzetti, Catal. (1868),
37, 8; Stud. sul Coccin., 29.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 206.
(Plate XI., Fig. 1.)

Adult female elongated, somewhat acuminate at the cephalic end, slightly convex; reddish-brown; skin marked with two dorsal keels and numerous irregular tessellations, finely punctate. Antennæ of eight joints; on the first two and the last three joints some hairs. Feet normal, rather long; one of the lower digitules is larger than the other. Length of insect, about 1/10in.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--On plants in greenhouses; Christchurch, Wellington. In Europe, on _Ficus_, in hothouses.

This insect belongs to Signoret's fifth series.

44. Lecanium hemisphæricum, Targioni-Tozzetti, Stud. sul
Coccin., 27.
_Chermes filicum_, Boisduval (1867), 336; Targioni, Catal.,
1868, 38, 17.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 29.
(Plate XI., Fig. 2.)

Adult female hemispherical, with broad flattened edges; reddish-brown; diameter, about 1/15in. Skin regularly marked with oval perforations; no keels. Antennæ of eight joints. Feet normal, thin. Anal ring with eight hairs.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--On Camellia, Hutt Valley, Wellington; in Europe, on _Dracæna australis_; in America, on various greenhouse plants (Comstock). Query--Does the European habitat denote an Australian origin?

This insect belongs to Signoret's fourth series.

45. Lecanium hesperidum, Linnæus.
_L. hesperidum_, Linnæus, Syst. Nat., 1735, II., 739, 1;
Faun. Suec., 1746, 1015.
_Coccus hesperidum_, various authors.
_Calymnatus hesperidum_, Costa, Nuov. Osserv., 1835?
_Calypticus hesperidum_, Costa, Faun. Ins. Nap. Gall-insect.,
1837, 8, 1; Lubbock, Proc. Roy. Soc., IX., 480; Beck,
Trans. Roy. Micr. Soc., 1861, 47, &c.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 205.
_The Holly and Ivy Scale._
(Plate XI., Fig. 3.)

Adult female naked; yellow, brown, or reddish; flat or slightly convex; elongated; skin smooth, sparsely punctate; length averaging 1/10in., but specimens reach sometimes 1/5in. Antennæ of seven joints; a few hairs on most, but the seventh has several. Abdominal cleft and lobes normal. Feet normal. On the edge of a body a row of small hairs, not set closely together. Viviparous; at gestation the under-side becomes concave, forming a shelter for the young; and this cavity is often of a blood-red colour. On the under-side may be seen sometimes four cottony trails starting from the region of the four stigmata.

Young larva reddish-brown; oval, flat; antennæ of six joints. From the abdominal lobes spring two long setæ.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--Everywhere, on ivy, holly, camellia, orange, laurel, myrtle, box, and many other plants out of doors or in greenhouses. In Europe, chiefly on ivy and oranges, but frequently on other plants. In America on many plants.

This is the commonest of the Lecanidæ in this country; it may be distinguished from _L. mori_ (below) by its flatness and sparse punctuation.

This insect belongs to Signoret's first series.

46. Lecanium hibernaculorum, Targioni-Tozzetti, Catal. (1868),
37, 9.
_Chermes hibernaculorum_, Boisduval, Ent. Hort., 1867, 337.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 207.

Adult female nearly globular; naked; reddish-brown; diameter about 1/9in.; at gestation the body becomes simply an inverted bag covering the eggs and young. The insect appears to be partly oviparous, partly viviparous. Antennæ of eight joints. Feet normal. Skin pretty regularly marked with oval perforations.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--On various greenhouse plants, Christchurch. In Europe on _Brexia_, _Phajus_, &c.

The insect belongs to Signoret's fourth series, and may perhaps be only a large variety of _L. hemisphæricum_.

47. Lecanium maculatum, Signoret, Ann. de la Soc. Ent. de
France, 1873, p. 400.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 207.

Adult female naked; flat, elongated; dorsal skin marked with a median row of rather large oval spots reaching from the abdominal cleft to the region of the rostrum. Length, about 1/15in. Colour yellowish-brown. Antennæ of seven joints. Feet normal.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--On _Bavardia_, in hothouses, Christchurch. In Europe on ivy.

This insect belongs to Signoret's first series: the dorsal spots distinguish it from _L. hesperidum_.

48. Lecanium mori, Signoret, Ann. de la Soc. Ent. de France,
1873, p. 407.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 29.
(Plate XI., Fig. 4.)

Adult female naked; elongated, convex; reddish; length, about 1/9in. Skin smooth, without spots, tessellations, or keels. Antennæ of seven joints. Feet normal.

Adult male unknown: pupa covered by a white, elongated, segmented, glassy test.

Habitat in New Zealand--On _Alsophila Colensoi_ and other ferns, Botanical Gardens, Wellington. In Europe on mulberry, &c.

The insect belongs to Signoret's second series.

49. Lecanium oleæ, Bernard.
_Chermes oleæ_, Bernard, Mem. d'Hist. Nat. Acad., 1872, 108.
_L. oleæ_, Signoret, loc. cit., 1873, p. 440.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 28.
_The "Black Scale."_
(Plate XI., Fig. 5.)

Adult female naked; semi-globular; dark-brown, sometimes almost black. Skin marked by one longitudinal and two transverse keels, not very conspicuous. Diameter, about 1/15in. Antennæ of eight joints. Feet normal. Anal ring with six hairs.

Young insect flat, elongated, reddish-brown. The keels are more conspicuous than in the adult. Skin marked with numerous oval perforations.

Male unknown.

Habitat in New Zealand--On camellia, _Cassinia leptophylla_ (tauhine), and other plants, Wellington; Hawke's Bay; on various native trees, Whangarei. In Europe on olive. In America (where it is called the "black scale") on oranges and very many other plants.

This insect belongs to Signoret's fifth series.

A European species, _L. cycadis_, Boisduval, is said by Dr. Signoret to closely resemble _L. oleæ_, the only difference apparently being the possession of nine-jointed antennæ. This character is so exceptional in the genus that it perhaps may be but doubtful.

Genus: PULVINARIA, Targioni-Tozzetti.

Female insects naked, arboreal, constructing an ovisac. Male pupæ in cottony or waxy sacs.

50. Pulvinaria camellicola, Signoret, Ann. de la Soc. Ent. de
France, 1873, p. 32.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 207.
(Plate XII., Fig. 1.)

Adult female yellowish- or reddish-brown, naked, slightly convex, elongated; skin smooth, with puncta; length variable, from about 1/7in. to 1/9in. Antennæ (according to Signoret) with sometimes six, sometimes seven, joints. Abdominal cleft and lobes normal. The insect excretes a narrow, white, cylindrical cottony ovisac, which is conspicuous on the leaf of the plant, and the brown body of the female can be seen at one end of it. The eggs in this ovisac are numerous, perhaps some hundreds.

Larva and second stage of female flat, oval, yellowish-brown.

Male pupa covered with a waxy, elongated test as in the genus _Ctenochiton_, but there is no fringe and the segments of the test are not conspicuous; the test is oval and convex.

Adult male yellowish-grey, the head rounded, with an anterior protuberance. Two dorsal and two ventral eyes, and two ocelli. Antennæ of ten joints, all hairy. Feet exhibiting only two digitules, the upper pair. Abdominal spike short, with two longish setæ on each side, each pair of which are covered with cotton which is produced into a long white conspicuous cauda.

Habitat--On camellia. In the South, chiefly in greenhouses. In the Hutt Valley, Wellington, camellias in the open air are much subject to it.

The female of this species is not unlike _Lecanium hesperidum_, but the formation of the white ovisac is a clearly distinguishing character. In late summer the female often drops off to the ground, leaving only the ovisac observable on the leaf.

Subdivision III.--LECANO-COCCIDÆ, Maskell.

N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 128.

Female insects covering themselves with a secretion of cottony or felted matter, forming more or less complete sacs. Male insects (where known) covered with similar secretion.

Genus: ERIOCHITON, Maskell.

Secretion white, felted, formed of threads issuing from prominent spiny spinnerets; inconspicuous or absent on adult female, thicker on male pupa. Abdominal cleft and lobes present in all stages of female.[R]

[R] In both of the species here described the adult female has the tibiæ shorter than the tarsi. The author has hesitated to found a generic character on it until the discovery of other species; the character is quite exceptional in the family, occurring (besides) only in some species of _Acanthococcidæ_. In all others a tibia shorter than the tarsus would indicate an immature insect.

[This genus contains the insect named hitherto _Ctenochiton spinosus_.]

51. Eriochiton hispidus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XIX., 1886, p. 47.
(Plate XIII., Fig. 1.)

Secretion of female white, thin, felted, formed of thin threads excreted from the numerous prominent spiny spinnerets, the threads becoming more or less matted over the dorsal surface. At the edge each thread corresponds to a spine, but has not the feathery form exhibited in the next species, _E. spinosus_, being more tubular. On the adult female the covering is often not to be detected, or presents only fragmentary portions; it is best observed on the female of the second stage.

Secretion of the male pupa white, felted, thick, covering the insect all over, and exhibiting at the edge a small fringe. At first sight the test, being obscurely segmented, presents somewhat the appearance of a Dactylopid. Length of the felted mass, about 1/16in.

Larva normal, flat, elliptical, active, exhibiting the usual abdominal cleft and lobes. Dorsal surface covered with spines, excreting a thin white mass of tubes and a tubular fringe.

Female of the second stage more or less elliptical, slightly convex, brown in colour beneath the thin white felted covering, which usually presents a segmented appearance, due to the transverse rows of prominent spinnerets. Body covered thickly on the dorsal surface with spines, which are subcylindrical, the ends rounded, springing from tubercular bases. On the ventral surface many smaller spiny hairs. Abdominal cleft normal, the lobes large. Mentum probably monomerous: the tip bears several hairs. Antennæ of six somewhat hairy joints. Feet with rather large femora; the lower digitules are fine hairs. Anogenital ring bearing numerous hairs.

Adult female elliptical, convex, hollow beneath, brown in colour, usually affecting the twigs and branches of the plant in preference to the leaves. Apparently naked, but on close inspection found to retain at least portions of the thin felted covering. Dorsal surface covered with great numbers of spines similar to those of the second stage; ventral surface with many small spiny hairs. Antennæ of seven joints. The feet have large coxæ and femora; the tibia is only about half as long as the tarsus; the lower digitules are only fine hairs.

Adult male of normal form of _Lecanidinæ_: colour brown. On the head are six visual organs: two dorsal eyes, two ventral, and two ocelli. Antennæ reddish, ten-jointed; the second joint a good deal thicker than the rest, the second, third, and fourth joints the longest; the last three moniliform; all the joints hairy. On the five last joints are several hairs with knobbed extremities. Feet slender, hairy; digitules fine hairs. Abdominal spike short and rather broad. On each side of the base of the spike is a tubercle bearing a pair of longish setæ; each pair of setæ becomes enclosed in a long white cottony thread, and the two threads form conspicuous "tails," as is common with most males of the Coccid family.

Habitat--On _Olearia Haastii_, Botanical Gardens, Wellington. This is an alpine plant cultivated in the Gardens, and the insect probably came with it from the mountains.

This species is distinguished from _E. spinosus_ by the great number of spiny spinnerets on the dorsum of the female and by the tubular character of the fringe.

The curious and exceptional character of a tibia shorter than the tarsus in the adult female, as observed above, is found only in this genus and some _Acanthococcidæ_.

52. Eriochiton spinosus, Maskell.
_Ctenochiton spinosus_, Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878,
p. 212; Vol. XII., 1879, p. 292; Vol. XIV., 1881,
p. 218; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 25.
(Plate XIII., Fig. 2.)

Test of female white, thin, formed of felted threads excreted from spiny spinnerets; inconspicuous at all stages, and often absent on the adult, but distinguishable on the larva and the second stage. The excreting spinnerets are almost all at the edge of the body, and the fringe is formed of feather-like segments, each segment corresponding to a spine.

Test of male white, thick, felted, oval, and convex; length, about 1/16in. Fringe as in the female.

Adult female dark-brown, sometimes almost black; slightly elongated, convex, affecting almost altogether the twigs and branches in preference to the leaves. Average length, about 1/9in. Antennæ of seven joints: on the last joint some hairs. Feet with the tibia about half as long as the tarsus (see note above, under the genus). On the edge of the body is a row of conspicuous spines, subcylindrical or subconical, with tubercular bases; and on the dorsum, in some specimens, may be seen a few others on the median region.

Female of second stage brown, elongated-elliptical, slightly convex. Antennæ six-jointed. Marginal spines as in the adult, but no dorsal spines. Length, about 1/25in.

Larva red, flattish, elliptical; marginal spines as in adult, conspicuous. Antennæ of five joints. Abdominal lobes large.

Adult male brown, rather more slender than in _E. hispidus_. Antennæ of ten joints, all hairy; the second joint much thicker than the rest. The last three joints are not so globular as in _E. hispidus_. On the last five joints are several knobbed hairs. Feet slender, hairy; digitules fine hairs. Abdominal spike shortish, broad: at each side of the base a tubercle bearing a pair of longish setæ enclosed in a long filament of white cotton. Eyes four; ocelli two. Length of body, exclusive of spike, about 1/25in.

Habitat--On _Atherosperma Novæ-Zælandiæ_, _Melicope ternata_, _Elæocarpus dentatus_, Wellington; _Muhlenbeckia adspersa_, Sumner Road, Lyttelton; Port Hills, Christchurch; and Wellington.

Distinguished from _E. hispidus_ by the feather-like segments of the fringe, and by the almost complete absence of dorsal spines on the female. The male is apparently almost identical.

Group III.--HEMICOCCIDINÆ.

N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 128.

Larvæ presenting at the extremity of the abdomen two conspicuous protuberances, or "anal tubercles," as in the following group, _Coccidinæ_; abdominal cleft and lobes absent.

Adult females exhibiting the abdominal cleft and lobes of _Lecanidinæ_. Insects naked or covered with secretion.

The formation of this group has been necessary to include certain insects, _e.g._, _Kermes_, which are evidently intermediate between the _Lecanidinæ_ and the _Coccidinæ_, exhibiting at various stages the characters of each.

SUBDIVISIONS AND GENERA.

Subdivision I.

Adult females naked or covered with horny secretion,
without fringe
Kermitidæ.

Adult females globular
Kermes.

Subdivision II.

Adult females covered with a test of glassy or waxy
secretion
Cryptokermitidæ.

Test hard, waxy, with single fringe
Pollinia.

Test hard, waxy, with double fringe
Asterolecanium.

None of the insects belonging to this group have as yet been reported as occurring in New Zealand.

As regards the name "Kermes" included in the foregoing list, see N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 17.

Group IV.--COCCIDINÆ.

Adult females variable in form and colour; body segmented, the segments more or less conspicuous; naked, or covered with secretion which is mealy, cottony, felted, or waxy; active or stationary. No abdominal cleft or dorsal lobes; abdomen ending in two more or less conspicuous protruding processes, or "anal tubercles." Mentum, when present, bi- or triarticulate.

Larvæ exhibiting anal tubercles as in adult.

Adult males of general form of the family: abdominal spike usually short. Antennæ usually of ten joints. Eyes often facetted.

SUBDIVISIONS AND GENERA.

Subdivision I.

Adult females stationary; naked, or covered with cottony or
felted secretion; antennæ of not more than seven joints;
anogenital ring with six or eight short hairs; anal
tubercles conspicuous. Eyes of male not facetted
Acanthococcidæ.

Adult female enclosed in closely-felted or waxy sac with
double glassy fringe; apodous and without antennæ
Planchonia.

Adult females enclosed in a felted sac without fringe;
retaining feet and antennæ
Eriococcus.

Adult females naked; retaining feet and antennæ
Rhizococcus.

_Genera not yet represented in New Zealand._

Adult females lying on cushion of cotton; apodous and
without antennæ
Nidularia.

Adult females lying on cushion of cotton; retaining feet
and antennæ
Gossyparia.

Adult females enclosed in a cottony sac; apodous; with or
without antennæ; excreting from the abdomen a very long
cottony appendage
Antonina.

The genus _Acanthococcus_, Signoret (loc. cit., 1874, p. 34), is here united to _Eriococcus_; and the genus _Capulinia_, Signoret (loc. cit., 1874, p. 27), to _Antonina_.

Subdivision II.

Adult females active or stationary; naked, or covered with
mealy, cottony, or waxy secretion; antennæ of from six to
nine joints; anogenital ring conspicuous, with several long
hairs; anal tubercles inconspicuous. Eyes of male sometimes
facetted
Dactylopidæ.

Adult females having antennæ of eight joints; anogenital
ring with six hairs; naked, or covered with meal or cotton
Dactylopius.

Adult females having antennæ of nine joints; covered with
cottony secretion; anogenital ring with six hairs; upper
digitules of foot absent
Pseudococcus.

_Genera not yet represented in New Zealand._

Adult females having antennæ of six joints; covered with
mealy secretion; anogenital ring with six hairs
Ripersia.

Adult females having antennæ of nine joints; anogenital
ring with eight hairs; upper digitules of foot present
Puto.

Adult females having antennæ of eight joints; covered with
plates of waxy secretion; anogenital ring with six hairs.
Eyes of male facetted
Orthezia.

The genera _Westwoodia_ and _Boisduvalia_, Signoret (loc. cit., 1874, pp. 337, 338), are here united to _Dactylopius_.

Subdivision III.

_Not yet represented in New Zealand._

Adult females active, covered with mealy secretion; antennæ
of seven joints; no hairs on anogenital ring. Eyes of male
not facetted
Coccidæ.

Adult females having antennæ of seven joints; no hairs on
anogenital ring
Coccus.

Subdivision IV.

Adult females active or stationary; naked, or covered
with mealy, waxy, or cottony secretion; antennæ of ten
or eleven joints; anterior pair of feet similar to the
rest; anogenital ring without hairs; anal tubercles
inconspicuous. Males with facetted eyes and no ocelli
Monophlebidæ.

Adult females with elongated antennæ of eleven joints;
covered with mealy or cottony secretion; with or without
ovisac; rostrum present
Icerya.

Adult females with antennæ of eleven joints; naked, or
covered with cottony or mealy secretion; rostrum absent
Cœlostoma.

_Genera not yet represented in New Zealand._

Adult females having antennæ of eleven joints; naked. Males
with several long processes, or tassels, on the abdominal
segments
Monophlebus.

Adult females with antennæ of eleven joints; naked. Males
without tassels
Leachia.

Adult females with conical antennæ of eleven joints;
covered with cotton
Ortonia.

Adult females with antennæ of ten joints. Males bearing a
long mass of silky hairs on the last abdominal segment
Callipappus.

Adult females with antennæ of ten joints; covered with
secretion, partly cottony, partly plates of wax
Walkeriana.

The genera _Drosicha_, Walker (list of Homop. Suppl., 1858, 306, 1) and _Guerinia</sc>, Targioni-Tozzetti (Signoret, loc. cit., 1875, p. 356) are here united to _Monophlebus</sc>.

The genus _Llaveia</sc>, Signoret (loc. cit., 1875, p. 370), is omitted, its affinities being doubtful.

Subdivision V.

_Not yet represented in New Zealand._

Adult females with antennæ of variable number of joints;
anterior pair of feet abnormally enlarged, deformed;
rostrum, mentum, and buccal apparatus absent. Eyes of male
facetted
Porphyrophoridæ.

Adult females with antennæ of eleven joints; covered with
mealy or cottony secretion
Porphyrophora.

Adult females with antennæ of seven joints; covered with
waxy or calcareous secretion
Margarodes.

Subdivision I.--ACANTHOCOCCIDÆ.

Female insects exhibiting in all stages the anal tubercles. Young larvæ free, naked, active. Females of second stage active, covered with thin cottony secretion. Adult females stationary; naked, or either resting on or covered with a thick cottony or felted secretion. Anal tubercles in all stages conspicuous, bearing terminal hairs. Anogenital ring inconspicuous, with fine short hairs. Body distinctly segmented.

Male pupæ enclosed in cottony or felted sac. Abdominal spike of adult usually short, with a curved appendage.

Genus: PLANCHONIA, Signoret, Ann. de la Soc. Entom. de France, 1868, p. 282.

Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XIV., 1881, p. 223.

Adult females enclosed in a sac, or test, of secretion so closely felted as to appear waxy; round the edge of the sac a double fringe of glassy tubes; apodous; antennæ absent. Anal tubercles present in all stages.

The differences between this genus and _Asterolecanium_ (see above under _Lecanidinæ_) are not to be made out from external examination of the sac, nor without close investigation. It is possible, indeed, that _Asterolecanium_ should be removed from the _Lecanidinæ_ and united with _Planchonia_.

53. Planchonia epacridis, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XIV., 1881, p. 224.
(Plate XII., Fig. 2.)

Test of adult female closely felted, smooth, hard, semi-transparent; flat beneath, convex above; elongated-oval, tapering towards the posterior end; completely enclosing the insect except at extreme posterior end, where there is a small orifice; colour partly green, partly yellow. Round the edge a fringe of long white glassy tubes in double row, one row over the other. Average length, exclusive of fringe, about 1/16in.

Test of male unknown.

Adult female filling the test, shrivelling at gestation. Antennæ absent, but represented by circular rings, each bearing four hairs. Feet absent. Anal tubercles small, setiferous. Anogenital ring inconspicuous, with six fine short hairs. Mentum uni-articulate; rostral setæ short. Round the edge of the body a row of figure-of-8 spinneret orifices; on the dorsal surface many circular spinnerets and a number of protruding tubes.

Female of second stage elongated, flattish; colour, reddish-brown; length, about 1/20in. Antennæ absent, represented by rings, as in adult. Feet absent. Anal tubercles as in adult. Spinnerets and fringes as in adult.

Young insect elongated-oval, tapering towards anal extremity, flat; anal tubercles clearly distinguishable, setiferous. Antennæ of five joints; the last joint clavate and bearing hairs. Feet normal; upper digitules fine hairs; lower digitales absent. Colour reddish-brown; on the dorsal surface many scattered figure-of-8 spinnerets, from which spring long, curling, white, glassy tubes. Length of insect, about 1/40in.

Adult male unknown.

Habitat--On _Leucopogon Fraseri_, Amberley and Sumner, Canterbury; on _Leptospermum scoparium_ (manuka) (sparingly), Nelson.

A very pretty little species, resembling in outward appearance _Asterolecanium quercicola_, Signoret, but much smaller, and distinguishable by the presence of the anal tubercles.

Genus: ERIOCOCCUS, Targioni-Tozzetti.

Signoret, loc. cit., 1874, p. 29.
Maskell, N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1879, p. 218.

Adult female enclosed in an elongated sac of white or yellow felted cotton; body elongated, segmented; anal tubercles conspicuous; feet and antennæ present; several rows of conical spines on dorsal surface. Antennæ of six joints.

54. Eriococcus araucariæ, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 218; Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 134.
_Rhizococcus araucariæ_, Comstock; Rept. of Entom., U.S.
Agric. Dept., 1881, p. 339.
(Plate XIV., Fig. 1.)

Sac of adult female white, cottony, elongated, often aggregated in masses; length, about 1/10in.

Sac of male similar, but much smaller.

Adult female elongated-oval, convex, segmented; colour yellowish; anal tubercles brown, conspicuous. Length of insect, about 1/12in. Antennæ of six joints, with some hairs. Feet normal. Anogenital ring inconspicuous, with eight short hairs. On the edge of the body a row of conical spines (spinnerets). After gestation the insect loses its regular oval outline, shrivelling up at one end of the sac.

Young larva and female of second stage similar to adult, but smaller.

Adult male, "a delicate fly-like creature, with two large wings and a pair of long waxen filaments projecting from posterior part of the abdomen; these filaments are very conspicuous, being white, and longer than the body of the insect. Colour of body white, with many irregular markings" (Comstock, loc. cit.).

Habitat in New Zealand--On _Araucaria excelsior_ (Norfolk Island pine), Governor's Bay, Canterbury. In America, on same plant.

This insect is not greatly different from _E. buxi_, Signoret; but the sac differs, and there are a few distinguishing characters in the form of the antennæ and feet.

55. Eriococcus hoheriæ, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XII., 1879, p. 298; Vol. XIX., 1886.
(Plate XIV., Fig. 2.)

Sac of adult female white, cottony, irregularly elliptical, slightly convex, often aggregated in masses; frequently so covered with black fungus as to present the appearance of a minute gall.

Sac of male white, convex, smaller and more elongated than that of the female.

Adult female elongated-oval, convex, red in colour; length, about 1/30in. Body segmented, tapering rapidly to the posterior extremity; the cephalic segment occupying more than half the length. Anal tubercles conspicuous, apparently two, but on close inspection found to be four, brown in colour; two of them bear longish setæ; all the four are much corrugated and bear many short spiny hairs. Anogenital ring inconspicuous, with eight fine hairs. Antennæ of six short joints, tapering. Foot as if atrophied, the joints small and swollen; digitules all fine hairs. On the body are many small conical spines, which are most numerous on the last two abdominal segments.

Larva free, active, red in colour, flattish, elongated, tapering to the abdominal extremity; length, about 1/50in. Body segmented; anal tubercles two, conspicuous, setiferous, with some short hairs. Antennæ of six joints; feet normal.

Adult male red, about 1/20in. long; wings rather narrow, hyaline. Antennæ ten-jointed, hairy. Feet normal. Abdominal spike short, thick, and accompanied by a curved appendage; at each side a tubercle bearing longish setæ.

Habitat--In crevices (and sometimes on surface) of bark of _Hoheria angustifolia_, on hills above the town of Lyttelton. About midsummer individuals may be found which have just completed their sac and have not yet become coated with the black fungus.

The peg-top form and the four anal tubercles of this insect distinguish it from all others of the genus.

56. Eriococcus multispinus, Maskell.
_Acanthococcus multispinus_, Maskell; N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI.,
1878, p. 217; Vol. XII., 1879, p. 292; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 29.
(Plate XV., Fig. 1.)

Sac of adult female yellow, felted, elongated-oval. Length, about 1/20in. Abdominal extremity open.

Sac of male similar to that of the female.

Adult female pinkish in colour, elongated-oval, convex, filling the sac, shrivelling at gestation; segmented, segments not conspicuous. Length, about 1/25in. Anal tubercles brownish, conspicuous, setiferous. Anogenital ring small, with eight fine hairs, which are often glued together by cottony secretion, forming a pencil between the tubercles. Antennæ of six joints. Feet having the tibia shorter than the tarsus;[S] digitules fine hairs. On the dorsal surface are a great number of conical spines, of which the largest are arranged in six longitudinal rows; from the spines sometimes protrude some cottony tubes with an expansion a little below the tip.

[S] As a rule, a tibia shorter than the tarsus characterizes an insect not yet arrived at the adult stage. The genera _Eriococcus_ and _Rhizococcus_ sometimes present exceptions to this rule. See also, above, the genus _Eriochiton_.

Young larva free, active, elongated-oval, flattish; spines as in adult.

Adult male orange-red in colour; length, about 1/25in. Antennæ of ten joints. Abdominal spike short, thick, with a curved appendage. Feet normal.

Habitat--On _Rubus australis_, Riccarton Bush, Canterbury; on _Knightia excelsa_, _Cyathodes acerosa_, Wellington.

The very numerous conical spines distinguish this species from that known as _Acanthococcus aceris_, Signoret, the European species.

There seems to be no sufficient reason why the genus _Acanthococcus_ should have been separated from _Eriococcus_, and they have been here reunited. The only difference mentioned by Signoret is the colour and texture of the sac, an unimportant character in this case.

57. Eriococcus pallidus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 29.
(Plate XV., Fig. 2.)

Sac of adult female yellowish-white, elongated-oval, convex, closed at both ends. Length, about 1/9in.

Sac of male unknown.

Adult female greenish-grey, turning to brown after gestation; filling the sac; shrivelling at gestation. Anal tubercles rather large and conspicuous. Anogenital ring small, with eight (sometimes six?) fine short hairs. Antennæ of six joints. Feet normal, slender; lower digitules narrow and rather long. Body segmented; segments not very distinct. On the middle of each segment a transverse row of small slender conical spines not set closely together. Very many small scattered oval spinneret orifices.

Adult male unknown.

Habitat--On _Myoporum lætum_ (ngaio), _Elæocarpus dentatus_ (hinau), &c.; throughout the Islands.

Allied to _E. buxi_, Signoret (European), and _E. multispinus_, ante: but different from both in colour, in the arrangement of the spines and spinnerets, and in the form of the antennæ.

Genus: RHIZOCOCCUS, Signoret.

Adult females naked, usually stationary; body segmented; anal tubercles conspicuous. Antennæ of six or seven joints. Feet present. Anogenital ring inconspicuous, with fine hairs.

Male pupa enclosed in a cottony sac.

Mr. Comstock proposes (Ann. Rept. of Entom., U.S. Agric. Dept., 1881, p. 339, note) to include in this genus all the species of _Eriococcus_. The organic difference disclosed by the formation of a sac in that genus and the absence of a sac in _Rhizococcus_ seems to render the separation of the two necessary.

58. Rhizococcus celmisiæ, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 135.
(Plate XVI., Fig. 1.)

Adult female deep red in colour, elongated-oval, convex above and flattened below; length about 1/11in. The segments of the body are not very distinct. The abdomen ends in two large and conspicuous anal tubercles, each of which bears one strong and fairly long terminal seta and three other spines. The anal ring has eight hairs. Antennæ of six joints, sometimes looking like seven. Mentum doubtfully dimerous. The four digitules of the foot are long fine hairs. The tibia is a little shorter than the tarsus.[T] The trochanter bears one long hair and two short ones. A few large conical spines (spinnerets) are scattered over the body, and a row of smaller ones, like hairs with tubercular bases, runs transversely on each segment; also some circular spinnerets. At the edge of the body, all round, is a row of the large conical spines, which are set in groups of three on the posterior segments, of four or five on the median segments, and almost continuous on the head. When the insect is alive these spines are often agglutinated with cottony secretion so as to give the appearance of a short fringe. The four spiracles are somewhat large and circular.

[T] See note, above, under _Eriococcus multispinus_.

Adult male unknown.

Habitat--On _Celmisia_ sp., Southern Alps, Canterbury.

Differs from the European _R. gnidii_ in size, colour, and habitat, that species living on the roots of grass, while the New Zealand insect is arboreal. There are also differences in the foot and in the arrangement of the spines and hairs.

It is possible that this insect may, in its latest stage, construct a sac: in that case, it would belong to _Eriococcus_.

59. Rhizococcus fossor, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 136.
(Plate XVI., Fig. 2.)

Female naked in all stages, but the adult usually buried in a pit.

Male pupa enclosed in a white, elongated, cottony sac, which is about 1/20in. long.

Adult female greenish-yellow in colour, sometimes brown, stationary; sometimes resting on the leaf, usually partly enclosed in a circular pit; almost circular in outline, flat beneath and slightly convex above; length, about 1/15in. In the last stage, after gestation, it becomes dark-brown. The cephalic part is smooth; the remainder segmented. The abdomen ends in two very small anal tubercles, which are nevertheless somewhat conspicuous on account of their brown colour. Between them there protrudes a long thick pencil of white cotton. Antennæ short, with six joints, the last joint bearing several long hairs. Feet very small; the femur rather thick; the tibia is shorter than the tarsus by about one-third; the four digitules are long fine hairs. The anal tubercles have not terminal setæ; anal ring inconspicuous. A row of a few conical spines, set far apart, runs round the edge of the body, but none elsewhere, nor any circular spinnerets. There is no sign of a sac in any stage.

Female of the second stage oval, flatter than the adult, and of a rich golden colour; length, about 1/40in. The segments of the body are somewhat more distinct than in the adult. The anal tubercles are proportionately larger, and bear terminal setæ. Antennæ longer than in the adult, with six joints. Feet also longer. All round the edge runs a row of conical spines, set more closely than in the adult; and from each of these springs a long curly tube of white cotton, making a kind of fringe to the body; each tube is a little dilated at the end, and then tapers to a narrow point. The base of each conical spine is a somewhat large tubercle.

Young larva free, active, elongated, slightly convex, tapering to the anal extremity; colour yellow; length, about 1/60in. Antennæ as in adult, with six joints. Feet somewhat large. Anal tubercles thick, conspicuous, setiferous, with one short hair. On the edge of the body a row of conical spines set far apart, and on the dorsum four other longitudinal rows.

Adult male red in colour, about 1/30in. long. Antennæ of nine joints, all bearing hairs; the last joint nearly globular. Feet slender; digitules fine hairs. Abdominal spike short, thick, with sometimes a curved appendage. A rather strong seta on each side of the base of the spike.

As a rule, the adult female is nearly buried in a circular depression, or pit, formed in the leaf, and with the wall of the pit somewhat curled over it. On the other side of the leaf is a corresponding elevation, of a brown colour. Diameter of pit, about 1/18in. The abdominal pencil of cotton and the anal tubercles of the female usually protrude at the edge of the pit, probably to attract the male. After gestation, the female disappears within the pit, and the young larvæ are also sheltered in it for a while.

Sometimes two females inhabit the same pit.

The females which are not in pits are generally of a dark-red, or brown, colour.

Habitat--On _Santalum Cunninghamii_ (maire), Te Aute, Hawke's Bay.

A very distinct species, easily distinguishable by the pits on the leaves.

Subdivision II.--DACTYLOPIDÆ.

The "Mealy-bugs."

Female insects active or stationary; naked, or covered with mealy, cottony, or waxy secretion. Body segmented. Antennæ of from six to nine joints. Feet present. Anogenital ring large, usually conspicuous, with several long hairs. Anal tubercles small, inconspicuous.

Males of general form of the family. Eyes sometimes facetted, usually granular.

Genus: DACTYLOPIUS, Costa.

Adult females having antennæ of eight joints; anogenital ring with six hairs. Naked, or more usually covered with mealy or cottony secretion.

Male pupa enclosed in cottony sac.

60. Dactylopius alpinus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 138.
(Plate XVII., Fig. 1.)