SCALE INSECTS ( " COCCIDiE ') OF AUSTRALIA. 



Genus L. Sphaerococcus, Maskell. 



Trans. New Zealand Inatitnte, vol. xxv, p. 237, 18!(2. 

 Cockerell, Canadian Entnmologi.it, vol. xxxT, p. 227, 1809. 



This genus was created by Maskell in a paper published in 189], but lie 

 did not define it until the following year, where he says : " Adult females 

 naked or producing cotton, or wax ; anal tubercles absent ; anogenital ring 

 hairless. Antennae of usually less than seven joints, sometimes atrophied. 

 Feet sometimes absent, sometimes atro])hied, sometimes deformed. Adult 

 male imknown." 



Cockerell, in his " Tables for the determination of the Genera of Coccidae,"' 

 in removing S. inflatipes into a new genus, reduces them to a well-defined 

 group of legless coccids, into which all the Australian species will fit. 

 Cockereirs definition is : " Adult female with the antennpp minute, conical ; 

 legs entirely al^sent ; skin with many circular glands."' 



S])hacrococcu.'i acaciae, ^laskell. 

 Trans. N. Zealand Institute, vol. xxv, p. 237, pi. xvi, figs. 6-11, 1892. 



This species was found upon the branchlets of an undetermined species of 

 Acacia growing at Queanbeyan. New South Wales : it has not been recorded 

 since the type was collected. 



The adult females globular, dark brown, each enclosed in a rounded mass 

 of white cotton} secretion, often aggregated in masses. Antennpe and legs 

 absent ; anogenital ring verv small and difficult to detect ; simple, without 

 hairs, anal tubercles wanting. Epidermis bearing numbers of minute tubular 

 spinnerets, and on. the median dorsal surface many small clear oval markings. 

 Spiracles large. Diameter of female, one-ninth of an inch. 



Maskell gives a description of the larvae as flattened brownish creatures 

 with thickened legs and antennae, with the usual terminal seta?. He says : 

 " This insect is allied to S. casuariiiae, but differs quite sufficiently for specific 

 separation.'* 



364. Sphaerococcus acaciae. Cat. Coccida?, p. 85. 



