721 



Brittin (G.). Some New Coccidae. — Trans, and Proc. New Zealand 



Insliiute, WelUngton, xlvii, I'ith July 1915, pp. 149-156, 9 figs. 



[Received 23rd October 1915.] 



A description is given of the following new species of Coccidae, 



collected near Oamaru, New Zealand : — Fiorinm morrisi, on 



Nothopanax sp. and Griselinia liltoralis ; Poliasjns argentosus, on 



Coprosoma sp. ; Pinnaspis nitidus, on the bark of Pillosporum sp. 



and on Astelia ; Lecanium armatum, on Mueldenheckia australis ; 



Pseudococcus oamaruensis, on roots of Aquilegia ; P. cockaynei, on 



Acijjhijlla ; P. sexaspinus, on the roots of sedge ; Ri-persia occulta, 



on roots of grass ; R. globata, on the roots of grass, moss, and in 



ants' nests. 



Brittin (G.). New Coccidae. — Trans, and Proc. New Zealand Institute, 

 Wellington, xlvii, 12th July 1915, pp. 156-160, 14 figs. [Received 

 23rd October 1915.] 

 The paper contains a description of the following new Coccidae 



from New Zealand :~Scutare finibriata, gen. et sp. n. ; Fiorinia 



maskelli, sp. n. ; and Cryptococcus nudatus, sp. n. 



Watt (M. N.). Contributions to the Study of New Zealand Entomo- 

 logy, from an Economical and Biological Standpoint. — Trans, and 

 Proc. New Zealand Institute, Wellington, xlvii, 12th July 1915, 

 pp. 247-274, 19 figs. [Received 23rd October 1915.] 

 The eggs of Phytometra (Plusia) chalcites, Esp., are laid singly on 

 the underside of the leaves of the food-plants, viz. : — Solanum aviculare, 

 S. nigrum, dahlia, salvia, potato, tomato, and other introduced plants. 

 Egg-iaying continues throughout the summer ; the incubation period 

 varies from 7 to 29 days, according to the temperature. The larva feeds 

 entirely on the underside of the leaves. Pupation takes place in a cocoon 

 formed between two or more leaves a short distance from the ground. 

 The duration of this stage was 85 days in cold weather. The larva is 

 attacked by a Braconid parasite. The duration of the pupal stage 

 of the parasite is about 46 days. P. chalcites is common between 

 September and June in the North Island. 



The eggs of Deilemera {Nyctemera) annulata, Boisd., are laid from 

 September to June on the underside of the leaves of Senecio bellidioides 

 (groundsel), S. scandens, S. vulgaris, Brachyglottis repanda (rangoria), 

 Erechtites arguta, cereals, etc. It is improbable that the winter is 

 spent in the egg-stage. Pupation takes place in a cocoon formed 

 usually under loose bark of trees ; the pupal period lasts about 18 days. 

 This species is confined to New Zealand. 



The eggs of the Geometrid, Venusia verriculata, Feld., are laid on 

 the leaves of Cordyline australis (cabbage-tree) and C. banksii. The 

 larvae are very active and congregate on the inner surface of the loose 

 outer leaves forming the heart spike of the tree. In badly infested 

 trees, the succulent inner heart is destroyed and quantities of coarse 

 frass accumulate roimd the base of the leaves. The worst damage is 

 done when the larvae are nearly mature. The duration of the larval 

 stage is about 74 days. Pupation takes place within a cocoon formed 

 in crevices of the bark or among dead leaves hanging round the stem. 



