394 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Section HEMICOCCIN^. 

 Plate XX., figs. 9-17. 



In 1883 I proposed (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. xvi., pp. 125- 

 128) a classification of the Lecanid and partly Lecanid genera 

 of the Coccid family, which seemed to me to possess at least 

 the merits of clearness and simplicity. I followed tliis classifi- 

 cation in my " Scale Insects of New Zealand," 1887, and I 

 have since seen no reason for departing from it. According to 

 this system I separated from the Lecanids proper, without for 

 that reason attaching them to the Coccids proper, certain 

 genera in which the larvae present distinct and conspicuous 

 anal tubercles, while the later female stages have the abdomen 

 cleft and tw^o dorsal lobes not reaching the margin. I pro- 

 posed to attach all such species as were naked to a subsection 

 " Kermitidce," and all such as were covered with wax to a 

 subsection " Crypto'kcrmitidcB ." 



During the past year I have received from Mr. Froggatt 

 some specimens of a species which appears to belong to the 

 Cryptokerviitida, having a conspicuous test of waxy secretion. 

 Unfortunately, I have only larvae and females of the second 

 stage, and therefore I am unable to name the species, or even 

 to decide upon the genus in which it should be placed. But 

 the characters of the two stages which I possess are so clear 

 that I shall probably not err in at least attaching them to the 

 Cryptokermitids ; the larvae have anal tubercles, and the 

 second stage has the abdomen cleft, so that in all probability 

 the adult will be cleft also. 



The female of the second stage is orange-coloured, flat 

 beneath and convex above, elliptical ; length about x\iu. 

 The dorsum is raised in the middle in a longitudinal ridge of 

 irregular tubercles or humps, and is covered with a test of 

 white or yellowish wax, which is not homogeneous but broken 

 up into irregular granultir masses. At the margin (especially 

 on the abdomen) this test is produced in spiny projections, 

 and frequently also the dorsum has waxy spines. After treat- 

 ment with potash the form is elliptical with a slightly wavy 

 outline. Antennae of seven short joints, subequal except the 

 third, which is rather the longest ; the last bears some hairs, 

 of which one is rather long. Feet short and rather thick; the 

 tibia and tarsus are about equal ; digitules fine hairs. The 

 dorsum bears many very small circular spinnerets. The 

 margin has a row of short conical spines set rather closely 

 together, and the four which are opposite the thoracic 

 spiracles are very long and slender. The abdomen is dis- 

 tinctly cleft, and has the normal lobes of Lccanidce ; the anal 

 ring has six long strong hairs, and after pressure frequently 

 protrudes beyond the abdominal margin. 



