Diaspis. 87 



DIASPIS AMYGDALI, Tryon. 

 (Plates XXIV. and XXIVa.) 



Diaspis ainygdali, Tryon, Report on bisect atid Fungus Pests, 1889, p. 89. 



Diaspis lanattis^ Morgan and Cockerell, Journal of the Institute of Jamaica, 

 1892, p. 136. 



Diaspis patelliforniis, Sasaki, Bitll. Agric. Coll. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, Japan, 

 Vol. II. p. 107 (1894). 



Female puparium {figs. 5 to 8) white, yellowish white, or greyish, the colour 

 being principally due to the admixture of particles of the hairs and epidermis of 

 the plant. The female scales are often very inconspicuous, simulating more or 

 less closely the surface upon which they are placed {fig. i). In some cases, 

 however, they remain conspicuously white against the dark green of the plant ; 

 I have noticed this more particularly in specimens affecting Tylophora. Where 

 the stem of the plant is hairy, the hairs are usually lifted up and incorporated 

 into the substance of the scale, remaining erect in their natural positions {fig. 6). 

 The dorsal scale is moderately convex, irregularly circular. Pellicles reddish 

 brown; sometimes exposed {fig. 5), sometimes obscured by an overlying deposit 

 of whitish secretion {fig. 8) ; approximately central {fig. 5), or placed near the 

 margin {fig. 6) ; from below, the second pellicle is seen as a shallow reddish 

 depression in the white roof of the scale {fig. 7). In younger specimens the 

 form of the scale is often oblong with the pellicles situated at one extremity 

 {fig. 13) ; this form is sometimes retained in the mature scales. Ventral scale 

 very thin, remaining attached to the plant. Diameter 2 to 2*50 mm. 



Male puparium snowy white ; uncarinated {fig. 2), or feebly keeled {fig. 3). 

 Ventral scale well developed, completely concealing the pupa {fig. 4). Pellicle 

 pale straw colour. Length i to 1*50 mm. The male scales are usually thickly 

 clustered together, each scale attached, by its anterior extremity, with the hinder 

 parts more or less elevated. 



The adult female varies in colour from pale creamy white to pinkish orange, 

 or rosy pink, according to age and food plant (a bright pink variety affects 

 Callicarpa lanata) ; the posterior extremity is always reddish brown ; on the 

 under surface a white waxy patch appears on each side of the rostrum, marking 

 the position of the anterior stigmata {fig. 11). In old specimens, after ovi- 

 position, the under surface of the pygidium is often thickly covered with white 

 waxy secretion {fig. 12). The form of the female insect is bro.iJly oval, broadest 

 and rounded in front, narrowing and bluntly pointed behind {fig. 10). Seg- 

 ments distinct ; the lateral margins prominent and armed with stout spine-like 

 squames. On the dorsal surface of each segment is a pair of large depressed 

 spots (foveas). Antennas {fig. 19) rather close together ; situate immediately in 

 front of the rostrum ; each consisting of a stout curved bristle on an irregularly 

 lobed tubercle. Rostrum sunk in a shallow depression. An erior stigmata 



