16 PAPERS 02s" C0CCTDJ5 OR SCALE INSECTS. 



rather strongly developed; anal opening circular, near tip; parageni- 

 tals often -wanting; if present, represented b}" from 1 to 3 glands only; 

 dorsal pores few, scattering; transverse basal thickenings well devel- 

 oped, laterals separated from the central line and robust; apical 

 ventral chitinization rather strongly developed, brown; ventral 

 longitudinal ridges feebly developed. 



Type. — Bureau of Entomology No. 14121. 



Material studied; Original lot from Bloemfontein, South Africa, 

 December, 1907, from the Hon. W. J. Palmer, director of agriculture, 

 Orange River Colony. Food plants represented: Gleditsia triacan- 

 thos, Scliinus molle, fig (two samples), almond, and quince. This 

 material was abundantly parasitized, but none of the parasites was 

 obtainable for identification. Specimens on Gleditsia triacanthos are 

 followed in description, except as to note on paragenitals. 



Additional lot from Charles P. Lounsbury, government entomolo- 

 gist, Cape Colony, with letter of January 29, 1908, representing mate- 

 rial on pear, Hex River, Cape Colony; Kieffer pear. Prospect Farm, 

 Komgha (east of Cape Colony) ; fig, Paarl, Cape Colony, and fig and 

 privet from Bloemfontein. 



The original lot, received through the Hon. W. J. Palmer, was sub- 

 mitted under the supposition that the insect might prove to be" the 

 San Jose scale {Aspidiotus perniciosus Comst.), and with the request 

 that an authoritative determination be cabled to Bloemfontein. The 

 insect proved to be entirely distinct from perniciosus, and evidently an 

 undescribed species native to South Africa. The general appearance 

 of the scale and insect is strikingly close to the San Jose scale. Even 

 the anal plate bears a close resemblance to the San Jose scale, but 

 lacks the second pair of lobes and presents some other minor differ- 

 ences. In the specimens examined of the first lot paragenitals also 

 seemed to be entirely wanting, although later, in the case of three 

 specimens, scattering pores were found, in some instances rudimentary. 



The fact that the insect is distinct from the San Jose scale was 

 cabled to Mr. Palmer, and a letter giving details was sent. Before the 

 receipt of this cablegram the entomologists of South Africa, viz, Mr. 

 Charles P. Lounsbury, Cape Colony; Claude Fuller, Natal; C. W. 

 Howard, Transvaal, and H. Neethling, biologist. Orange River 

 Colony, had held a conference at Bloemfontein and arrived at the con- 

 clusion that the South African insect was distinct from perniciosus. 



The original information given by Mr. Palmer concerning the food 

 habits of this insect is as follows : 



In the first place the worst infestations met with thus far occur on the mimosa 

 (Acacia horrida) , acacia {Robinia pseudacacia), pepper ((ScMni(s molle), and fig; whereas 

 pear, pecan, and apple trees growing in the worst infested spots have either not been 

 attacked at all, or only to a very slight extent. The distribution over such a large 

 area as it has already spread shows that it must have occurred here for a period of at 



