Chionaspis. 1 1 1 



also. Lateral margins of abdominal segments with groups of pores ; the third 

 and fourth (sometimes the second), with two to four stout spiniform squames, 

 those on the posterior segment longest. Pygidium (/</■. 8) with a pair of small 

 crenulate median lobes, their inner sides so closely applied that the division is 

 often difficult to detect. In examples from Areca palm {fig. i6), the margin of 

 the pygidium projects beyond the extremity of the median lobes. First lateral 

 lobes duplex, the mesal lobule prominent and squarely truncate at extremity. 

 Second lateral lobes almost obsolete, or represented by thickenings of the margin. 

 The pore-bearing prominence of the first lateral space is often thickened and 

 strongly chitinised, and may be readily mistaken for the true lobe which follows 

 it. A single squame on each of the first to fourth spaces, and two or three on 

 the base, decreasing in size towards the extremity of pygidium. Dorsal pores 

 few, the series consisting of three or four on the fifth, and one or two on the 

 fourth space —besides the usual marginal pores. Circumgenital glands in five 

 groups. The number of orifices has a rather wide range of variation, the 

 lowest extreme being that of tlie form from \S\&Ai-eca, in which the median group 

 averages 4, the upper laterals 11, and the lower laterals 12; while examples 

 from Capparis show 16 orifices in the median group, 22 in the upper laterals, 

 and 28 in the lower laterals. Of the intermediate forms a general average gives 

 7 in the median, 16 in the upper, and 18 in the lower lateral groups. In every 

 case the lower laterals average the greater number of orifices. The anal orifice 

 is situate immediately opposite or slightly posterior to the genital aperture. 

 The size of the female insect is equally variable, but depends partly upon the 

 period at which it is taken. A fully extended specimen, before oviposition, 

 averages r2o by 0*50 mm. But the insect is usually found in the collapsed 

 condition, when macerated examples measure about 075 by 0*40 mm. 



Adult male {fig. i), bright reddish, ocelli black. A dark spot on each side 

 of the genje represents the rudimentary eye. Legs and antennce yellowish. 

 Foot {fig. 3) with two digitules (one ungual and one tarsal). Antennie almost 

 as long as the body, hairy, a single knobbed hair at apex {fig. 4). Total length 

 about I "o mm. 



Egg {fig. 5) reddish fulvous. 



Newly hatched larva {fig. 6) pale yellowish. 



Habitat. This is one of the most widely distributed species of the genus in 

 Ceylon, and occui'S on a very large number of plants. I have taken it on Areca 

 palm. Acacia melanoxylon., Stfobilanthes viscosus, Capparis iiwonii., Arnoiiuii/i, 

 Mango, Ficiis, Cyanotis, Pepper, and various cultivated ferns in Pundaluoya : 

 on Crofoii^Alocasia, a.i\6. Pothos in Colombo. A form with whitish scales occurs 

 on Gaiiltheria fragraiis at Ambuwella and Nuwara Eliya. This species is 

 recorded also from India, and is a common greenhouse pest in Europe. 



It is possible that a more critical examination may result in the specific 

 separation of the several forms described above ; but, though differing in many 

 minute points, they merge into each other so gradually, and the main structural 

 characters are so much alike, that they can quite conveniently be retained under 

 the single name. 



The colonies are often very extensive, and this species must be considered a 

 distinctly injurious one. I have frequently seen young Areca palms in which 

 every frond was covered on both sides with the insects, the fronds appearing 

 yellow instead of green, from the multitude of discoloured spots, each of which 



