66 Aspidiotus. 



ASriDIOTUS INUSITATUS, ,i/. mw 



(I'l.ATK XVI.) 



Female piipariiim very larf^^e ; flatlisli ; al first oval {Jii^s. 3 and 4;, after- 

 wards greatly elongated posteriorly {fii^. 2), the supplemental portion usually 

 narrower than the other. I'ellicles yellow, always more or less concealed by 

 secretion ; approximately central in early adult stage, subsequently becoming 

 eccentric by the backward extension of the scale. Ventral scale as well 

 developed as dorsal, and bearing what appear to be the ventral halves of the 

 pcllifles (yZi/-. 3). The two surfaces are so much alike that it is often difficult 

 to decide which is the dorsal and which the ventral surface of the puparium 

 after it has been detached from the stem. Colour brownish white or brownish 

 fulvous. Length 3*50 mm. to 7'5o mm. Greatest breadth about 3*50 mm. 



Male pu|)arium unknown. 



Adult female yellow, ])ygidium brownish ; comparatively large; oblong oval, 

 abdominal area narrowest {fii^. 5). A small group of glands on the anterior 

 border of each stigmatic opening. Segmental divisions of the abdomen with 

 dorsal and ventral thickened chitinous bands in three scries. Lateral margin 

 of body with short transverse chitinous bars (y?i,'". 6). Posterior extremity very 

 hard and horny ; lobes obsolete ; a broad mesal notch, enclosing a minute 

 central ])oint. Deep indentations on each side indicating the boundaries of 

 suppressed segments {Jii^. 5). Margin minutely and irregularly serratulate. 

 No distinct demarcation between the pygidium and the other abdominal seg- 

 ments. I'our conspicuous club-shajied ])rocesses extend inwards from the 

 margin near the extremity. A pair of hair-like spines mesad of each process ; 

 another pair mesad of first lateral indentation ; a few others at intervals 

 beyond. No circumgenital glands. The surface of pygidium and horny margin 

 of body closely covered with innumerable minute pores. On the paler lateral 

 margin a raised rim can be distinguished round each pore (y?^''- ^)- Anal 

 aperture small ; partially surrounded by a thickened rim ; situate at a consider- 

 able distance from extremity. Length 3 mm.; breadth r6o mm. 



Adult male unknown. 



Habitat on bamboo {Arundinarla, s/>.), between the stem and the sheathing 

 bracts and petioles. Kelani valley (March). 



A very abnormal species, doubtfully placed in this genus on account of its 

 apparent affinity in structure and habits with A. scar/us, Ckll. An unusually 

 large insect compared with other members of the genus. The elongation of 

 llie puparium is probably due to its confined position, where lateral extension 

 would be difficult. 



