1886.] E. T. Atkinson — On the Homopterous Family Coccidoe. 291 



presented by two black knobs, resembling blunted mandibles ? these 

 are eyes]. Thorax ample, oblong-quadrate, enlarged at the shoulders : 

 wings two, ample, two-veined, hyaline strongly iridescent, laid straight 

 down the back, half overlapping each other when at rest : scutellum 

 ample, transverse, rounded at the apex. Abdomen sub-cylindrical, 

 of shrivelled appearance, with two long anal setse, which are slightly 

 curled and of a mealy, brittle consistence, being much smaller than the 

 ? , about IJ millims long and in appearance resembles a small may-fly. 



? . Larva or pupa resembles the perfect insect but on a smaller and 

 less perfect scale. 



d. The pupa has the wings and anal setas rudimental. These 

 imperfect cf resemble young Psoci or Aphides but they carry the antennae 

 turned backwards along the sides of the body. The larva and papa 

 are active and can move about. 



Nietner (I. c.) has the following observations on the D. adonidum 

 of Ceylon : — " The insects, in all stages of development, are found 

 all the year round, the propogation being continuous. It appears to 

 me, however, that the d are more plentiful about June and" January 

 than at any other season. They affect dry, hot localities, and are found 

 both on the branches and on the roots of the trees to about one foot 

 below the surface of the ground. The eggs are actually laid and en- 

 veloped in a white cottony substance and are oval and of a yellow 

 colour." Perhaps there are two species as some are rather flatter and 

 more densely covered with meal, but these may be only local varieties. 

 The white scale-insect attacks orange, guava, and other trees, as well 

 as coffee, and is also found on beet-root and other vegetables. It is 

 also infested by parasites, amongst which Mr. Nietner mentions the 

 occurrence of a small mite named by him Acarus translucens ; a similar 

 mite is reported from America and New Zealand as infesting the 

 egg-envelope of these insects. Mr. Green writes : — " This insect attacks 

 a large number of plants. Upon coffee it is found chiefly among 

 the clusters of berries, and, in this position, not content with the pri- 

 mary damage done by itself, it attracts a species of ant which builds 

 its nest inclosing the colony of Dactylopius. On the estates, it is most 

 destructive to young Chinchona plants, frequently killing them out- 

 right. It is preyed upon by the larvae of several beetles and also by the 

 larva oi Lucius epiusj a small Lepidopterous insect." 



Subdivision Coccaria. 

 Sign. A. S. E. F. (5 ser.) v, p. 346 (1875). 



This group is confined to the genus Coccus, which includes the 

 cochenille insect, Coccus cacti of authors, used as a dye. It has not the 



