68 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Most nearly resembling C. perforatus, Mask., but more oval 

 and differing from this (and apparently from all other described 

 species) in the absence of a median dorsal series of plates on the 

 test. 



Eriococcus sordidus, n. sp. (figs. 8, 9). 



Sac of adult female oblong oval. Colour and texture difficult 

 to determine, every example being thickly encrusted with black 

 fumagine fungus, as is also the surrounding surface of the bark. 

 The inner coating of the sac is white. Long, about 3 mm. ; 

 broad, 1.50 mm. 



Sac of male snowy-white, conspicuous against the dead black 

 surroundings. Long, 1.50 mm. 



Adult female oval. A marginal series of rather slender-pointed 

 spines, broken into sets of three on the abdominal segments. A 

 median dorsal series of paired spines — a single pair on each 

 abdominal segment. A smaller' spine on each segment about 

 half-way between the median and marginal series. Both dorsal 

 and ventral surfaces with small scattered spinnerets and fine hairs. 

 Antenna moderately large and stout, 7-jointed ; 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 

 and 7th subequal, longest (3rd sometimes longer than the 

 others) ; 5th and 6th subequal, shortest. Anal tubercles pro- 

 minent, stout ; terminal seta not twice length of tubercle ; a 

 longish stout-pointed spine at base on inner side ; a slender spine 

 at base on outer side ; and two slender spines near apex — on 

 ventral and dorsal surfaces respectively. Anal ring with 8 stout 

 hairs, extending beyond the middle of the tubercles. Long, 1.25 

 to 1.75 mm. ; broad, 0.60 to i mm. 



Habitat. — Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia. On Heli- 

 chrysum ferruyineum. (Coll. G. French, jun.. No. 25.) 



Said to be " a very destructive pest." 



Differs from danthonice, Mask., in broader form, shorter 

 marginal spines, and presence of median dorsal series. Near 

 leptospermi, Mask., but differing in the single marginal fringe and 

 7-jomted antennas. 



The accompanying catalogue of Australasian species of Erio- 

 coccus, showing the principal characters in parallel columns may 

 be of assistance in discriminating between the closely similar 

 forms. The characters are extracted from the published descrip- 

 tions. 



DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES. 



1. — Aspidiotus immaculata, extremity of pygidium, ventral aspect. 



2. — Aspidiotus subfervens, extremity of pygidium, dorsal aspect. 



3. — Chionaspus angusta, extremity of pygidium, ventral aspect. 



4. — Ctenochiton serratus, test of adult female, dorsal aspect. 



5. — Do. test of male, dorsal aspect. 



6. — Do. antenna of adult female. 



7. — Do. marginal fringe of adult female. 



