ALEURODICUS COCOIS. 47 



On each side of the abdominal region are four compound wax 

 pores, and there is a pair present on the cephalic end of case (PI, 

 XI, fig. 5). There are no reduced compound pores on caudal end 

 of case as in many species. 



Vasiform orifice broadly cordate. Operculum subrectangular and 

 about twice as broad as long, the ends rounded. Lingula long, ex- 

 serted, tapering regularly from base to narrow tip. Two pairs of 

 spines arise near distal end of lingula (PI. XI, fig. 3). 



Adult. — Unknown. 



Type. — No. 14705, U. S. National Museum. Described from a few 

 pupae on leaf, and three parasitized specimens in balsam mount. 



Aleurodicus cocois (Curtis). 

 (PI. XII, figs, l-lf); PI. XIV, fig. 1 ; text figs. 6-9.) 



Aleurodes cocois Curtis, Gardeners' Chronicle, 1840, p. 284. 

 AUurodlcHU iridescena Cockerell, Psyche, vol. 8. p. 226 (1898). 



This species was described by Curtis from specimens on coconut 

 and was transferred to Aleurodicus by Morgan (1. c). Later it was 

 fully described bj^ Riley and Howard in Insect Life, Volume V, page 

 314, and later Cockerell described what appears to be the same insect 

 as Aleurodicus iridescent in Psyche, June, 1898. These three descrip- 

 tions and the figures accompanying them are herewith reproduced. 



ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION. 

 [Fig. 6 (1, 2. .3. 4. 5).] 



AJeyrodcs cocois (the Cocoa-nut Aleyrodes). There is a little white mealy fly 

 which sometimes infests the cabbages, and an allied species has been sent from 

 the West Indies, which differs from it in its structure and economy. We are 

 indebted to Sir Robert Schomburgk for specimens of this curious and destructive 

 insect, the publication of whose history will be acceptable to the cultivator of 

 exotics, and it is to be hoped that it may lead to the discovery of some mode of 

 extirpating It. Sir Robert says, " On my arrival in Barbadoes, I was forcibly 

 struclv with the withered appearance of the Cocoa-nut trees, and I have since 

 been told that a disease is prevailing amongst them which threatens to destroy 

 nil the Cocoa-nut trees in the island. This remarkable disease showed itself in 

 the island after the fatal hurricane in 1831, and there are only a few trees 

 which are not afflicted by it. It is no doubt to be ascribed to an insect allied 

 to Alcyrodcx. A great many of the plantations of Cocoa-nut trees which for- 

 merly yielded an Income of 200 £ or 300 f per annum have not a single tree 

 which bears fruit. The lower leaves die fir.st and fall off, the flowers follow, 

 or if nuts should have been formed they dwindle away and do not arrive at 

 maturity; ultimately the budding leaves are attacked, and the crown drops off, 

 leaving the withered trunk. 



" It is considered that this disease has been introduced since the hurricane, 

 from some of the neighbouring islands, when it became necessary to replace a 

 number of Cocoa-nut trees which had been destroyed; but some pretend that it 

 has been occasioned by the introduction of guano. Smoking, &c., has been of 



