142 THE ZOOLOGY OF THE AFGHAN DELIMITATION COMMISSION. 



Although the galls contained no winged forms, which would at once have certified the 

 genus, there can he no reasonable doubt that the insects belong to the Pemphiginae 

 (Aphidinae), five species of which, Passerini states, infest the Pistacia in Italy. Pour of 

 these are of the genus Pemphigus ; but as their chief differences seem to consist in the 

 form and situation of the galls they raise, their claims to a distinct species may be 

 doubted. As tbis Afghan species is quite blind, a better acquaintance with the insect 

 may prove it new to science ; therefore any name assigned to it now must be considered 

 as temporary. 



A short description may be here given. 



Pemphigus coccus ( ? ). 



Larval form of the parthenogenic female. Globose, yet broadest across the abdomen ; 

 deeply ringed. Head square ; antennae five-jointed, not counting the terminal nail-like 

 process ; fifth joint the longest. Eyes none. Proboscis short, reaching to about the 

 second coxae. Legs stout, and furnished with a double claw. Cauda blunt, having two 

 minute spines. Colour, when alive, probably greenish, mottled with white, and sparsely 

 covered with silky filaments. Nectaries not visible. 



Some of the galls gathered had round holes pierced in their sides. These had been 

 doubtless the exits of parasites, for the remains of cocoons were discovered within, but 

 no trace of the bodies of aphides. 



Size of larvae 0-0450 x 0-0280 inch. 



