19 



In the genus Parnfairmairia the adult female insect is covered 

 with a glassy test divided into symmetrically disposed polygonal 

 plates. 



P. gracilis, Gi'een (fig. 6). On various grasses and sedges. Test of 

 mature female elongate, narrow, acutely pointed at both 

 extremities, laterally compressed, the dorsal plates forming 

 a sharp keel. 



Phi/sokennes is a very abnormal genus, quite unlike any other in the 

 subfamily. The species are characterised by the complete absence 

 of limbs and antennae in the adult stage, by their spherical form, 

 and by the presence of two large brood pouches in the cavity of the 

 body. 



F/i. abietis (GeoftVoy). On the spruce fir {Abies excelsa). Although 

 a relatively large insect, in its mature stage, it is extra- 

 ordinarily inconspicuous, owing to its resemblance to the 

 unopened leaf buds of the plant. The young larvae take up 

 a position, head downwards, beneath the bud scales at the 

 base of the young shoots, and hibernate in that situation. 

 After moulting twice, in the following spring, the adult 

 female expands until its hind body is protruded beyond the 

 scales, and finally assumes a more or less spherical form. 

 Its colour — chestnut brown — simulates the unopened leaf 

 buds. The male of this species is unknown. 



In the subfamily Astendecaniiuae we find species enclosed within 

 a horny or waxy test ; often with a marginal fringe of paired fila- 

 ments, which arise from figure of eight-shaped pores on the body of 

 the insect. 



The typical genus AsterolecauiiDii (fig. 7) is the only one that is 

 represented in our islands. The covering test is horny and trans- 

 lucent ; usually with a conspicuous marginal fringe of glassy 

 filaments. 



A. varidLisiiiii (Ratzeburg). On the smaller branches and twigs of 

 oak ; occupying shallow pits in the cortex. The test is of a 

 greenish colour, a darker patch at one extremity indicating 

 the position of the sublying insect. The marginal fringe is 

 often incomplete or imperfect. 



A. thesii (Douglas). On Thesiain htiunfiisiiin. Test yellowish. In 

 addition to a marginal fringe there is a longitudinal series of 

 tufted filaments on the dorsum. 



Of the subfamily Eriococcinae it is difficult to give any single 

 character that is common to all the genera included in the group. 

 The adult females usually have a pair of prominent, spiniferous 

 (often densely chitinous) lobes at the posterior extremity of the 



