SCALE INSECTS (" OOCCID^E ") OF AUSTRALIA. 15 



TliH adult females iji'oduce (lei)ressions or blisters in the bark in which 

 thev rest, often enclosed in the larval skins. The bark, in consequence of 

 their presence, is often so thickl}'- covered with fumagine fundus that the 

 coccids are hidden from view. 



Adult female dull red to brownish yellow ; globular. Diameter about 

 one twenty-eighth of an inch : antennse very variable, sometimes almost 

 obsolete, in others showing six or three very indistinct joints. Legs absent. 

 There are four large thoracic spiracles, each surrounded with a ring of circular 

 glands. Epidermis A\ath many small circular spinnerets, with large ones on 

 the abdominal segments ; anal ring -without hairs. On the dorsal surface 

 of abdomen are chitenous bands, on the upper segments short spines. 



•37 i. SphfBrococcHS ohscuratiis. Cat. Coccida', p. 86. 



Sphaerococcus pirogaUis, Maskell (Fig. 10). 



Trans. New Zealand Institute, vol. xxvi, p. 95, pi. vii, f. 8-19, 1893. 

 Froggatt, Agric. Gazette, N.S.W., vol. ix, p. 18, 1898. 



The remarkable galls formed by this coccid often cover the foliage of acres 

 of Leptuspermum flavescens, growing in the vicinity of Sydney and on the 

 Blue Mountains. These galls in course of development vary from green, 

 pink, red to light brown w^hen mature, and average up to one-quarter of an 

 inch in height. The general form is pear-shaped, with the summit slightly 

 flattened ; the basal stalk is thickened with a small slit-like opening on the 

 side, giving entrance into the thin hollow gall above. At the top or roof of 

 the gall is a circular, saucer-like structure, in which, surrounded with white 

 mealy secretion, rests the adult female coccid. The male coccids and larvse 

 may be found in the gall chamber with the female. Adult female red, sub- 

 circular, slightly concave beneath and convex above. Diameter, one thirty- 

 fifth of an inch. Antennae very obscure, apparently composed of five or six 

 joints, without any hairs or bristles. Legs wanting. Anal ring simple, 

 hairless. Four large thoracic spiracles, with the epidermis bearing circular 

 multiocular s]iinnerets with many long spiny hairs which, near the tip of the 

 abdomen, are arranged in a regular ring. 



Maskell has written an exhaustive account of this species, covering four 

 pages of the " Transactions "' : he considers it one of the most remarkable 

 gall- making coccid he had ever examined. 



375. Sj)haerococcus pirogallis. Cat. Coccidse, p. 87. 



