Aspidiotus. ^45 



ASPIDIOTUS ROSSI, Maskell 



(Plate VI.) 



Aspidiotus Rossi, Maskell, Trans. N. Z. InstiL, 1891, p. 11. 



Female puparium circular (_/^. 2), or irregularly oblong {Jig. 4), flattish, 

 opaque, reddish brown or dark brown ; inner surface darker, almost black. 

 Pellicles blackish, frequently obscured by a layer of brownish secretion, with 

 central boss and concentric ring ; sometimes depressed, sometimes slightly 

 elevated. Ventral scale obsolete, a white powdery film on surface of leaf, 

 except at margins, where it is stouter and adheres to the dorsal scale {Jig. 4). 

 Diameter, 2 to 3 mm. 



Male puparium stated by Maskell to be smaller and lighter in colour than 

 that of the female. I have not found the male insect in Ceylon. 



Adult female {Jig. 3) broadly pyriform, terminal segment tapering suddenly 

 to a point ; median area tumescent ; margins flattened. Colour of living insect 

 at first milky white or ochreous, tinged with purplish, which deepens with age 

 and extends over the greater part of the thorax, the flattened marginal area and 

 the abdominal segments remaining ochreous. Colour of dead and dried insect, 

 brownish yellow. Stigmata conspicuous ; no parastigmatic glands. Pygidium 

 {Jig. 5) with six prominent, obscurely tricuspid lobes, all well developed and 

 sub-equal in size ; margin beyond the lobes, with seven projecting tooth-like 

 processes, forming a bold and regular serration ; margin between the lobes, 

 squarely but not deeply incised. Squames deeply fringed, two between median 

 lobes, two between first and second, three between second and third, and one 

 or two in the space between the third lobe and the first marginal prominence. 

 Circumgenital glands in four groups ; upper laterals with 9 to 12 orifices, lower 

 laterals with 8 to 9, their position indicated in the living insect by the presence 

 of four white waxy patches. A large number of very delicate filiform tubular 

 spinnerets, opening on the dorsal surface by small and rather inconspicuous 

 pores arranged in definite linear series running upwards from the margin. 

 Larger cylindrical or trumpet-shaped ducts nearer the extremity, opening on 

 the margin between the lobes. Anal aperture slightly caudad of the lower 

 spinneret groups. Length about 1*50 mm. 



Adult male unknown. 



Eggs pale purplish. Hatched shortly after extrusion. Well -developed 

 embryos can be seen within the body of the parent insect. 



Young larvae very pale reddish, broadly oval ; caudal sette short. 



Habitat in Ceylon on under-surface of leaves of Capparis Moonii {Jig. i). 

 Originally reported from Australia, where it is said to occur on various plants 

 and trees. 



