1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 237 



A NEW SPLCIES OF PULVINARIA, 



BY R. S. LULL. M. S. 



Pulvinaria phaia', n. sp. 



A new but very typical species of Pulcfnarin wa- discovered iu 

 the plant house of the Massachusetts Agricultural College by Mr. 

 R. A Cooley in April, 1897. The species was quite abundantly 

 scattered over the under side of the leaves of a species of orchid, 

 Phafus HKtc.H.latus and of another Phaius somewhat similar, but 

 undetermined. As all stages were represented, good opportunity 

 was offered for some biological studies in this interesting genus. 



The FEMALE, just before gestation, is oval in shape, measuring 

 about 3mm. in length by 1.75mm. in breadth, though the size varies 

 evidently with the abundance or scarcity of nourishment. In color 

 the creature is in general a light, yellowish green, varying some- 

 what in different individuals, so as to approach very nearly to the 

 general color of the leaf, rendering it nearly invisible. 



The antennae, curiously enough, show at least two distinct types 

 with regard to the relative leno-ths of the various segments, and 

 there are minor variations as well. The two types, A and B, which 

 are both figured, are found about equally distributed among indi- 

 viduals, even on the same leaf. This fact leads me to wonder if too 

 great stress may not have been laid on this much used specific char- 

 acter. A series of about twenty-five individuals was carefully ex- 

 amined with regard to theanteunae as well as other features. In type 

 A segments 3 and 8 are equal and longest; next, segment 2 : then. 

 4 ; next, 5 ; then, 6; and finally 7, the shortest of all being only one- 

 third the length of segment 8. The apparent length of the basai 

 segment varies so decidedly, depending upon the point of view, 

 that I have thought it best to uefflect it. Formula (38) 2 (4) 5 (6) 

 7. The basal segment bears three or four hairs, segment 2 bear- 

 two rather long hairs; segment 3, one, somewhat shorter; segment 

 4, none ; segment 5, two long ones ; 6, one : 7, one; while segment 8 

 bears seven or eight, one, apparently the longest, being terminal in 

 position. 



Type B shows the following relative length of segments : s is the 

 longest ; 5 almost equalling it ; next 3, then _': 4. <; and 7 being sul>- 

 equal and shortest. .-even being -3 the length of 8. Formula (S.Y) 3, 

 2 (467). The hairs born by the various segments are approximately 

 as iu Type A, A series of four long and three short hairs, arranged 

 symmetrically across the head, extends from the base of one an- 

 tenna to that of the other. I have never seen them mentioned in 

 any description, though my own observations prove to me that 

 they do occur iu other species, though varying in number and ar- 

 rangement. These inter-autennal hairs are shown ii. the nearly 

 mature female figured in figure.'!. 



The legs (see fig. 10) are normal, somewhat -tout in proportion to 



