THE COCCIDAE OF CAUFORNTA. 31 



Ceroplastes irreg-ularis Ckll. 



In certain sections this Crroplastrs can be found very abundant on 

 sagebrush in the foothills, but has not attacked any other host plant as 

 yet, and has been known in California for a great many years. One 

 other species has attacked a pepper-tree in this State, but the tree was 

 cut down and burned and its presence has not again been noticed. 

 Owing to the fact that it was discovered in a section where the strictest 

 inspection is maintained, it is safe to say that it will not gain a foot- 

 hold. 



Ceroplastes ceriferus Anderson. 



(White Wax Scale.) 



Female. — Test of adult female white or yellowish white, waxj'-, convex, 

 thick; frequently agglomerated in large masses covering the twigs of 

 the food-plant (as shown in Fig. 13). Separate individuals may range in 

 size from ^ to -g of an inch. Marginal tuberosities not distinguishable, 

 though the margin is sometimes slightly flattened and irregular. The 

 apex of the test is sometimes pro- 

 duced in a short pointed horn, not 

 erect but bent over the test. The 

 wax is rather soft and greasy. 



Test of the second stage slightly fig. 13. Cfrop^aste.? cm/ents (White wax scale). 



convex, elliptical; color grayish infesting cameuia. 



white. Median dorsal region usually smooth, separated by a narrow 

 depression from the marginal region, which exhibits eight tuberosities, 

 three on each side and two terminal. Average length of test about 

 i of an inch. 



Adult female brown, very convex, elliptical, hollow beneath. Form 

 lecanid, but the anal cleft and lobes are not easily made out, being 

 contained in a conspicuous cylindrical " tail " or prolongation of the 

 abdomen. Antennse 6-jointed, joint 3 being much the longest. Feet 

 rather thick, but not at all atrophied; tibia scarcely longer than the 

 tarsus; upper or tarsal digitules slender knobbed hairs, lower pair on 

 the claw rather long, thick, and expanded at the end. Rostrum rather 

 large; mentum doubtfully dimerous. Near the spiracles, on each 

 margin, is a group containing eight large conical spines and about 

 twenty-four smaller ones. Epidermis bearing many circular spinneret 

 orifices. When the "tail" is subjected to the action of potash and 

 subsequent pressure it is seen to contain at its extremity the abdominal 

 lobes and the anogenital ring, which has six rather strong hairs. 



Female of the second stage brown, elliptical, slightly convex. Form 

 lecanid, exhibiting the normal cleft and lobes; there is no "tail," but 

 the region surrounding the lobes is thickened. Antennae and feet as in 



