Monophlebince, 435 



Genus ICERYA, Sign. 



Icerya, Signoret, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. (5), Vol. V. p. 351, 1875. 

 Crossotosonia, Douglas, Ent. Mo. Mag., Vol. XXVI. p. 79, 1890. 

 Proticerya, Cockerell, Psyche, Vol. VII. Suppl. i, p. 15, 1895. 



The genus was erected to contain the species seychellaruni, but now ac- 

 commodates some twenty or more distinct species, of which the best known is 

 the notorious ' Fluted Scale' {Icerya ■burchasi). It is a fairly compact genus, 

 characterised by insects of comparatively large size, having a more or less 

 complete covering of mealy or powdery secretion intermingled with erect, 

 glassy, tubular filaments. There is usually a marginal series of compact, waxy 

 processes, the hindermost of which are greatly elongated and form a covering 

 to the ovisac. The antennas of the adult female are typically eleven-jointed, 

 but, in a few species the number is reduced to ten [e.g., rileyi, jacobsoni, minor), 

 or even nine {pilosa). The eyes are well-defined, broadly and truncately 

 conical. The limbs are strongly developed, densely chitinous, and usually 

 dark-coloured. The derm is more or less clothed with long setae, certain of 

 which are usually markedly longer than the others. The setas are raised on 

 small chitinous tubercles and their bases are often surrounded by a translucent 

 collar (see Plates CLXXX,yf^^ 12 ; C'LX.XX.\\,fig. 22), There are numerous 

 multicellular pores, usually of two or more forms and sizes. This dififerentiation 

 in the character of the pores reaches its maximum in such species as 

 seycheUarum 3iT\d pilosa. The smaller pores are apparently responsible for the 

 mealy secretion and the larger pores for the production of the tubular filaments. 

 Several of the species exhibit ventral cicatrices immediately behind the genital 

 aperture, and in some species (notably nigro-areolata) the cicatrices are filled 

 in with pigmented cells. 



Nymphs very similar to adults ; but with a reduced number of antennal 

 joints. 



Larvae with six-jointed antennse, the terminal joint largest and bearing four 

 or more very long, whip-like setee. Posterior extremity of the body with six 

 exceptionally long setae. 



Adult males relatively large. The antennal joints (with the exception of 

 first and second) bi-nodose, each node with a whorl of long seta. Eyes pro- 

 minent, compound. A single ocellus on each side, close to the hinder edge of 

 the compound eye. Wings ample, dusky. Posterior extemity v.'ith a single 

 pair of wrinkled, fleshy, setose appendages. 



Three species appear to be indigenous in the Island, and a fourth {piirchasi), 

 through some unfortunate accident, has been introduced within recent years. 



Synopsis of Ceylon Species. 



A. Larger dermal pores not differing markedly from the 

 smaller pores ; central area relatively small. 

 («) Adult female without conspicuous waxy appen- 

 dages ; glassy filaments numerous. Ovisac large 

 and conspicuous purchasi. 



