REMARKS ON COCCIDAE FROM NORTHERN AUSTRALIA — II. 65 



puparium. When extracted it is seen to be of the form shown in figure 11, cZ. The 

 median dorsal area rises into a central hump, on the summit of which are grouped 

 the four spiracles which— in this insect- — have taken up a dorsal position. 

 Immediately behind the central prominence the body is abruptly depressed, trans- 

 versely folded for a short distance, and encloses a large circumscribed flattened or 

 slightly concave area extending to the posterior margin. Colour of dried insect 

 reddish brown, marbled with pale spaces ; the flattened posterior area colourless 

 and translucent. After maceration and preparation for microscopical study, the 

 insect displays a remarkable lack of characters (see fig. 11, e) ; the derm appears to 

 be devoid of ceriferous pores, and no rudiments of antennae are to be seen. The only 

 conspicuous features are the mouth -parts and the spiracles. Some faint concentric 

 lines near the centre indicate what I take to be the genital orifice, but I have been 

 unable to locate any anal aperture. The actual position of the spiracles is upon the 

 summit of the dorsal prominence, but under compression they become displaced 

 and usually appear together on one side of the rostrum. The genital orifice also 

 appears to have assumed a dorsal position — -amongst the folds at the base of the 

 posterior depressed area. The characters of the rostrum and spiracles are shown in 

 figure 11,/. Each pair of spiracles is partially surrounded by an ill-defined denser 

 area. Length of adult female (under compression) 0*5 to 0-75 mm. 



The body of the insect usually contains several well-developed embryos, one of 

 which is show^n — greatly enlarged — in figure 11, .9. Three conspicuous circular pores 

 are noticeable on each side, near the posterior extremity. A pair of caudal setae is 

 folded back upon the venter. Other stages not observed. 



On leaf-stalks of a palm {Livistona humilis), Stapleton, N.T. (Hill, 640). 



Altogether a very anomalous insect. I have placed it provisionally in the genus 

 Sphaerococcus, biit its ultimate position must remain problematical until the earlier 

 stages are available for study. The absence of any dermal glands or pores suggests 

 the probability that the puparium is constructed during the nymphal stage. 



(C250) 



