50 Aspidiotus. 



tapering in front, a stout sh knobbed hair at its apex and two finer ones on the 

 side {fig. 13). Foot {fig. 12) with two knobbed hairs (one on claw and one on 

 tarsus). Tarsus two-thirds length of tibia ; tibia nearly equal to femur. Wings 

 ample, hyaline. Total length 075 mm. 



Eggs pale yellow {fig. 8), disposed in a ring round the body of the parent 



{fig- 4). 



Young larva {fig. 9) pale yellow. Eyes minute, black. Feet with four 

 knobbed hairs. Posterior extremity fringed with short hairs and papillae. 

 Caudal setae short, about one quarter length of body. 



Habitat in Ceylon on various species of palm, on tea, Lora?itht(s, Dalbergia 

 champio7iii, and several unidentified shrubs ; occupying usually the under 

 surface only of the leaves ; both sexes crowded together in large clusters {fig. i). 

 Very widely distributed in all parts of Ceylon. I have seen it in distinctly 

 injurious numbers on the fronds of various ornamental palms. Its effect upon 

 the tea plant is fortunately not so marked, though it sometimes occurs in vast 

 numbers on individual plants, usually affecting the older leaves only. Type 

 described from specimens found on Lafania, an African palm. 



I refer this insect rather doubtfully to this species. It differs in several 

 points from the type of Aspidiotus latatiice as described by Signoret, principally 

 in the number of orifices in the spinneret groups. The conspicuous hair-like 

 tubular spinnerets are made by Signoret a specific character. I at first thought 

 this insect was the well-known 'Oleander scale' — Aspidiotis nerii; but careful 

 comparison with typical specimens shows me that it cannot be that species. 

 The character of the tubular spinnerets is very different in the two species, A. 

 nerii having short cylindrical ducts only. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. 



Aspidiotus latani^. 



{All figures, except No. i, more or less enlarged) 



Fig. I. Leaf, with insects in situ, natural size. 



2. Male puparium. 



3. Female puparium. 



4- M ,, showing disposition of eggs. 



5. Adult male. 



5A. „ pale variety from tea plant. 



6. Adult female, dorsal view. 



7. „ ventral view. 



8. Egg. 



9. Young larva. 



10. Pygidium of adult female. 



11. Diagram showing tubular spinnerets opening on margin of pygidium. 



12. Foot of adult male. 



13. Terminal antennal joint of adult male. 



14. Diagram of head of male, from below, showing eyes and ocelli. 



