Tachardiince. 411 



minor use in India is in the ornamentation of woodwork and in the manu- 

 facture of cheap bracelets and other fancy articles. It should be understood 

 that 'lac-work' has no connection with the 'lacquer' employed for somewhat 

 similar purposes in China and Japan. The latter is compounded principally 

 from vegetable gums. 



The body of the insect itself provides a crimson dye which has now been 

 largely replaced by aniline extracts. It gives its name to the pigment known 

 as ' crimson lake.' 



TACHARDIA ALBIZZI^., Green. 

 (Plate CLXXII.) 



Tachardia albiszia^ Green, Ind. Mus. Notes, Vol. V. p. 98, 1903 {sine d&scrX 

 _„ „ Green, /otirn. Econ. Biol, Vol. VI. p. 32, May, 191 1. 



Resinous tests of adult female {fig. i) bright castaneous when fresh, darken- 

 ing with age ; but usually so covered with sooty fungus as to appear black. An 

 isolated test {fig. 11) is subglobose, flattened beneath— where it adheres to the 

 stem of the plant. The usual three conspicuous orifices are arranged approxi- 

 mately in an equilateral triangle, on the dorsal surface ; each orifice on a 

 separate prominence, the posterior one larger than the other two. The three 

 prominences are connected by more or less distinct carinse which meet at a 

 point near the centre of the triangular space. In living examples, a small tuft 

 of white cottony filaments projects from each aperture. The surface of the 

 test may be smooth or granulo-rugose. When crowded together, the tests 

 become agglomerated into masses containing from two {fig. 13) to six or more 

 cells. Diameter of an isolated test 2*5 to 3*5 mm. 



Male puparium {fig. 18) smaller and usually of a darker colour; of an 

 oblong form, rather broader in front ; with a more or less distinct medio-longi- 

 tudinal ridge ; surface finely rugulose. At the posterior extremity is a large 

 oval operculate opening, through which the perfect insect eventually makes its 

 escape. Length i'5 mm. 



A median longitudinal section through the resinous case of the female reveals 

 the body of the insect occupying the anterior half of the cavity {fig. 12), with 

 the abdominal segments retracted and the caudal process directed upwards. 

 At first the insect completely fills the cell. As ovipositioii proceeds, the body 

 contracts, and the resulting space is closely packed with ova, the young larvte 

 making their exit through the posterior orifice. 



The adult female insect is normally of a uniform rich crimson colour ; but 

 there is a variety that is of a bright gamboge yellow colour, in all stages. 



The fully extended insect {fig. 15, antero-dorsal view) is roughly cordate in 

 form, with a prominent caudal process at the extremity of which is the anal 

 orifice with its ring of setae. The dorsal area is broadly rounded, and demarked 

 by a shallow groove from the remainder of the body. The ventro-lateral areas 

 are roundly produced on each side. The stigmatic processes are reduced to 

 small tubercles which are placed towards the posterior extremity of the dorsum. 

 At the base of the caudal process, situated dorsally, is a prominent fleshy 



