476 PROCEEDINOS OF THE NATIONAL MVSEUM. vol. xsvii. 



nation is readied in the thick black pupa-case, or the color and texture 

 ma}" remain approximately^ the same as in the tirst stage; when the latter 

 obtains, some of the structural stages can be followed by superficial 

 examination. The degeneration, or loss of legs and antenntv, and the 

 permanent disappearance of the latero-marginal hairs take place with 

 the molt of the first skin; in the second stage there is no external 

 trace of either legs or antennae, but in the third and beginning of the 

 fourth stage, the reduced legs and occasional!}" the minute antennaj 

 may be made out; in the fourth stage the wings are present and the 

 legs and antenna? are more like those of the adult, but are still unseg- 

 mented; in the later part of this stage they are approximately as in 

 the adult, and sex can be readily distinguished. The mouthparts seem 

 to be smaller in the second and third stages; often in the latter they 

 can not be made out, but in the late pupal stage they occupy relatively 

 the same space as in the first larval. 



All of the pupa? secrete "honeydew,'' sometimes in such quantities 

 that the leaf around tile case and the dorsum of the pupa is covered 

 with it; in some species there are seen minute, blunt tubes on the 

 apex of the lingula, through which the fluid may be excreted (fig. 47, 

 Plate XXXIII). When the "honeydew" is emitted the operculum is 

 lifted, the lingula is protruded, dorsally recurved, and the drop 

 thrown with considerable force (fig. 46, Plate XXXIII). The liquid 

 is sweet, and when exposed to the air it becomes thick and finally 

 hardens. The frequent appearance of fungus in and about the cases 

 is probably induced by the presence of this medium, as it is in the 

 Coccidge. On Chammdoreci sp., an introduced plant from Mexico which 

 was kept in the Golden Gate Park Conservatory, San Francisco, the 

 author saw many large, black ants busily engaged in gathering ' ' honey- 

 dew," acting as ants do with Aphids. 



Leaving the pupa-case is a slow and toilsome process; the imago 

 often struggles for hours before it is free and ready for flight. After 

 leaving the case, it usually remains quiet for a few minutes. At this 

 time it is paler in color than it will be later, and its wings are damp 

 and crumpled; soon it begins to walk very slowly, and after going a 

 short distance crouches upon the leaf as if exhausted; gradually its 

 wings unfold and straighten into definite shape, the color becomes 

 vivid and the granular secretion of wax from which the family has 

 derived its name, begins to appear. 



The adults have a peculiar manner of flight; when disturbed they 

 rise in an almost vertical direction, and, if not further molested, alight 

 nearly where they were in the first place. This habit may account for 

 the females returning to the same leaf where they were laying eggs 

 when disturbed, for on several occasions they have been observed to 

 resume ^g^ laying within a short distance from the place where their 

 other eggs had been deposited. 



Although the adults possess mouthparts and an alimentary canal, 



