NOTES ON PLATA. 609 



two different patterns of fretting on the same individual, and even 

 on the same wax-field, as shown at e, fig. 3 ; and again the 

 frettings on the cuticle of the anal areas differ from that of the 

 wax-pits on the dorsal segments (c and d, fig. 3). The glands 

 themselves, however, all appear to be of the same tj^pe, though 

 differing much in size. The wax-glands of the Chinese Candlefly, 

 (Pyro27S candelaria), a laxge Fulgorid, are very similar to these Flatid 

 glands. It will be seen from fig. 3 that each little pit in A and 

 B has but one gland discharging through it ; whereas in C and D 

 each area has four openings for glands, which, however in this 

 instance, are much smaller; they are, moreover, practically 

 divided off from one another, as shown. 



The nymphs of Geisha and Salwniis, which may happen to be 

 hatched late in the Autumn, rest during the dry season, feeding 

 but little ; and often creep for shelter from cold between leaves 

 secured together by spiders, ants or lepidopterous larvae. These 

 nymphs moult to adults at the beginning of the wet season. The 

 Flatas are nocturnal, usually remaining motionless on a leaf or 

 stem during the day, but becoming active and flying about at 

 dusk and during the night, when they couple and oviposit. These 

 two species of Geisha and Salurnis are, as a rule, solitary, though 

 several may sometimes be found on the same bush. The n\mphs 

 of the larger species are much infested by a Bryinid parasite, 

 which appears as a black, circular, flat sac beneath one of the 

 wing-pads (fig. 4) ; but it is not uncommon in South China to find 

 a parasite under each wing-pad. 



The Australian species of Flata here mentioned — Keomelicharia 

 fartiva — is gregarious, and has the common Flatid habit of many 

 individuals sitting in line close together along a twig or branch. 

 This species oviposits in quite a different manner from Salurnis 

 marciinellus, since it laj'S its eggs in a large batch on the surface 

 of leaves, often on the upperside, and the batches are usually 

 thickly covered with the white waxy matter. The female is not 

 provided like 8alurnis with " saws " for cutting leaf tissiles. This 

 Flata is a pest on orange and lemon trees in Queensland, which 

 are often loaded with the insect in all instars during the wet 

 season. 



