18517.] 



16: 



&i^- </'■?/• 



The hirsute character of the dermis, and the unique habitat, are 

 the distinguishing features of this species. 



RiPEBSIA rORMICICOLA. 



Rqjersia fonnicicola, Maskell, Trans. New Zealand Inst., 1891, p. 38. 



The examples before me show a great variation in size, and in the 

 character of the antennae. The smallest specimens (1-25 mm. long) 

 have comparatively long 6-jointed antennae (fig. 1). A second form, 

 about the same size as the preceding, presents 7- 

 jointed antennae ; each joint being clear and distinct. 

 And a third form, much larger (2-50 mm. long), has 

 shorter antennae (fig. 2) and legs. Mr. Maskell's de- 

 scription {I. c), and some specimens he has sent me, 

 agree in every way with the small examples desci'ibed 

 above, which, I presume, are second stage ? , or early 

 adults. The example having 7-jointed antennae may 

 be an intermediate form ; and the larger specimens are, 

 I presume, the old adults. 



The specimens were collected by Mr. "W. W. Smith in nests of 

 Monomorium nitidum at Ashburton, New Zealand. 



I have also two early adult ? , taken by Mr. R. C. Wroughton in 

 company with Icerya fonnicnrum, and Grematognster suhiuda, M. ; 

 this is the first recorded occurrence of the species outside New 

 Zealand. 



The figures are drawn to one and the same scale. 



ElPERSIA EUROP^A, n. Sp. 

 $ adult widely ovate, densely clothed with white mealy wax ; segmentation 

 more or less distinct. Antennae (fig. la) of 6 joints ; 3 and 6 are longest, and in 

 length nearly equal ; 4 and 5 equal, and much the shortest ; all with long fine hairs. 

 Mentum doubtfully biarticulate, thickly set with long hairs. Legs ordinary; 

 anterior pair shortest ; tibiae wide ; upper digitules wanting ; lower pair simple, 

 slender hairs. Anal ring with six long hairs ; intervening spaces with a double 

 circle of minute tubercles ; those of the inner circle longest. Anal lobes minute; 

 each with a single long hair, and several minute ones, and a number of rather large 

 circular spinnerets. Dermis above crowded with small circular spinnerets and 

 minute hairs. Long., 1—1-50 mm. 



Hah.: Guernsey (W. A. Luff, 1895); Watville, Guernsey 

 (Brockton Tomlin, August, 1896), on roots of various plants in ants' 

 nests. Near Rheim, Grermany (E. Wasmann, 1896), with Lasius 

 alienus,Y. 



Mr. Tomlin says : " The Coccid is very plentiful under stones in 





