Diaspince. 35 



partially overlapped by the softer parts of the segment. There 

 is often a well-marked indentation on the lateral margin between 

 the meso- and the metathorax. The division between the thorax 

 and abdomen is unmarked by any constriction. 



The abdomen consists of nine segments, including the conical 

 piece giving rise to the genital spike. The full number can be 

 distinguished on the dorsal surface ; but on the under side of the 

 abdomen one or more of the basal segments are concealed by the 

 overlapping hinder margin of the metathorax. 



A more or less distinct furrow runs along each side of the 

 abdomen at a little distance from the margin on both the dorsal 

 and ventral surfaces, separating off a well-defined marginal area. 



The genital spike or sheath {Jig. 10) is long and finely pointed, 

 often half the length of the rest of the body. It consists of a single 

 piece, with the edges incurved below to form an elongate valve, 

 through which the exsertile penis can be extruded. 



The antennae i^fig. 9) are normally of ten joints, as in all male 

 Coccidae. The first joint is short and broad, widest at the base. 

 The second is usually more or less globular. The other joints are 

 always rather elongate, and clothed with stout hairs. The terminal 

 joint tapers abruptly to a blunt point at the apex, which bears a 

 longish stout knobbed hair ; and there are often two or more 

 similar hairs springing from the side of this joint. 



The single pair of wings spring from the sides of the meso- 

 thorax. They are long and ample {fig. 2), narrow at the base 

 and broadly rounded at the tips, with a single nervure at the base 

 dividing into two branches on the broader part of the wing. On 

 the inner margin — close to the base — is a miimte slightly thickened 

 lobe, with a pocket which engages with the hooked extremity of 

 the 'halter.' The membrane of the wing is hyaline and colourless 

 in itself, though reflecting delicate iridescent tints. It is closely 

 set with minute short hairs, which give it a slightly roughened 

 appearance. When at rest, the wings lie in a horizontal posi- 

 tion, completely overlapping each other above the back of the 

 abdomen and extending considerably beyond the extremity of the 

 body. 



The ' balancers ' or ' halters ' {fig. 3) are attached to the lateral 

 margins of the metathorax. There is a narrow flattened mem- 

 branous portion {a) from the extremity of which, and at an acute 

 angle, springs a stout hooked bristle {b), which engages with the 

 pocket-shaped lobe at the base of the wing. 



