DactylopiincE. 361 



or hair-like spines, those at the posterior extremity longer and stouter. Young 

 larvae have been observed within the puparia of the adult females. 



I have been unable to recognise the nymphal stage of the female (except in 

 the form of the nymphal skin attached to the puparium of the adult). Nor have 

 any stages of the male been observed. But, mingled with the adult insects, are 

 numerous small ochreous or stramineous examples {fig.^ which 1 take to be fully 

 grown larvae. These are of an elongate form, and have well-developed limbs and 

 six-jointed antennae. The posterior extremity {.fig. 10)— even at this early stage — 

 shows a well-defined operculoid plate with six set;e on its outer margin, but there 

 is no indication of this structure on the newly hatched larvte. The length of 

 these supposed fully grown larva; is o'33 mm. 



The insects are crowded in sheltered angles at the base of the fronds 

 of the Palmyra Palm {Borassus Jlabelliformis), Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Peradeniya. 



Genus GEOCOCCUS, Green. 

 Geococcus^ Green, E)tt. Mo. Mag.^ Vol. XXXVIII. p. 262 (1902). 



The original diagnosis of the genus was as follows : ' Insects subterranean 

 orming a more or less complete sac. Limbs present : antennae close together, 

 2iS m Ripersm ; six-jointed, terminal joint large. Body terminating in a pair 

 of chitinous anal lobes, as in Eriococctis. Derm with trilocular pores. Anal 

 ring setiferous. Young larva with a pair of stout chitinous spines.' It should 

 be added that the spines of the larva are situated at the posterior extremity, 

 and are evidently the precursors of the large stout processes found on the anal 

 lobes of the nymph and adult insects. 



As this is at present a monospecific genus it would be unwise to add other 

 peculiar characters that might eventually prove to be of specific value only. 



The single known species appears to be intermediate between the Erio- 

 coccine and Pseudococcine groups. The antennal characters suggest its 

 affinity to Rhizoecus and Ripersia. 



At present recognised from Ceylon and the Hawaiian Islands only. 



GEOCOCCUS RADICUM, Green. 

 Geococcus radicum, Green, Ent. Mo. Mag., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 262 (1902). 



Puparium of female {figs, i, 2, 3) white, irregularly circular or oval, brittle, 

 coarsely pulverulent externally, smooth inside. Longer diameter 2*0 to 2*50 

 mm. The insect lies loose within the puparium {fig. 3), in the hinder part of 

 which the eggs are deposited. 



Adult female {fig. 4) very pale yellow, caudul lobes dark brown, broadest 



3E 



