i^S Chionaspis, 



CHIONASPIS GALLIFORMENS, sp. nov. 

 (Plate LVI.) 



Female puparium consisting of a thin film of secretionary matter lining the 

 cavity of the gall-like swelling within which the insect is concealed. The 

 pellicles usually wedged in the orifice of the gall, but sometimes absent. The 

 development of the gall may be understood from an examination of the early 

 stages. The larva, after having fixed itself upon the stem or leaf, gradually 

 becomes enclosed by a thickening of the surrounding tissues {fig. 2). At the 

 same time a hollow ceil is formed below, increasing in size with the growth of 

 the insect (fig. 3). There is always a central orifice corresponding with the 

 original position of the larva. The outer walls of the cell are thickened and 

 appear as nodular swellings on the young stems and petioles of the plant {fig. i). 



Male puparium {fig. 4) white ; pellicle yellow. A very indistinct median 

 ridge ; no lateral carinse. 



Adult female {fig. 5) bright yellow ; pygidium reddish brown. Eyes minute, 

 blackish. Mouth-parts rather large and conspicuous. Both pairs of spiracles 

 with parastigmatic glands. Abdomen with four free abdominal segments above 

 the pygidium : a few small spiniform squames on lateral margins of second, 

 third, and fourth segments. Pygidium {fig. 6) with four prominent pointed 

 conical processes taking the place of the usual lobes ; lateral margin with deep 

 indentations and serrations. Only four lateral spaces, the normal base of 

 the pygidium being separated off as the fourth free abdominal segment. 

 Squames minute, spiniform, one on each of first and fourth spaces. A few con- 

 spicuous oval pores on both dorsal and ventral surfaces of pygidium. Circum- 

 genital glands in five groups, with numerous orifices : median, 18 to 22 ; upper 

 laterals, 24 to 32 ; lower laterals, 20 to 30. Anal anterior to genital aperture. 

 Length about i mm. Breadth 0*62 mm. 



Eggs numerous ; bright orange yellow ; deposited in the cavity of the gall. 



Habitat concealed within gall-like protuberances on the young stems, 

 petioles, and midrib of leaves of Hedyotis lasertiana; Kalutara (February, 

 March). The position of the insect within the cavity varies ; sometimes the 

 anterior, sometimes the posterior extremity is found directed towards the orifice 

 of the gall. The former position is probably assumed after impregnation. The 

 male scales are clustered in the axils of the leaves and beneath the interpetiolar 

 stipules. 



The statement that this insect is without lobes on the pygidium appears at 

 first sight to be contradicted by the figures. But I believe I am right in con- 

 sidering the conical processes to be thickened marginal prominences of a 

 different nature to the lobes usually occurring on other species. It will be 

 noticed that they are unaccompanied by any inward extension of the body wall. 



