ESSIG, THE GENUS PSEUDOCOCCUS IN CALIFORNIA 



43 



Pseudococcus obscuriis n. sp. 



In form this species is very narrowly oblong. The Ijody segmentation is very 

 distinct. The length of the body varies from 2 to 6 mm., the width from 1 to 2 

 mm. The covering consists of a very thin, powdery wax, which does not hide 

 the light-gray body of the insect. The lateral wax appendages are not distinct, 

 while those of the anal segments, though short, are well defined. 



When boiled in K O H, the body becomes cardinal — the legs and antennae 

 remain a light-brown. 



The antennae (Figure 23 C) are 8-articled, and normal in size and in the 

 distribution of hair. Article 3 is three-fourths as long as the last. Article 1 is 

 as long as 3 and longer than 2. The mouth-parts are short and stout ; the rostral 

 loop about half the length of the body. The legs (Figure 24 C) are short and 

 stout. The coxa is as broad as long ; the tibia is longer than the femur, and twice 

 as long as the tarsus ; the claw is short and well curved. The spines of the anal 

 lobes are as long as the circumanal spines (Figure 25 C). The lobes are quite 

 hairy, with two denticles on the inner margin of each. The body is nearly desti- 

 tute of hair. 



Figure 2 7. Pseudococcus obscurus on Sambucus glauca 



The eggs are laid in loose cottony masses. The male is unknown. 



This species was taken from the roots of Opuntia at the home of Mr. Meserve, 

 County Horticultural Commissioner, on Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.- In some 

 ways it resembles P. ryani. but differs as the antennae shows in the following 

 comparative table of the different articles beginning with the longest article first: 

 P. ryani:— 8, 3, 2,4, 1, 6, 5, 7. 

 P. obscurus: — 8, 1, 3, 2, 4, 7, 5, 6. 



A form taken at Santa Paula (Figure 27) from the bark of Soinbncus glaitca 

 resembles P. obscurus closely enough to be the same species or a variety of it. 

 The following cuts will point out some of the resemblances : Fig. 23 A ; Fig. 

 24 A ; Fig. 24 I. 



It was first taken by County Commissioner P. E. Smith, of Santa Paula. 



