No. 2. ] 



Notes on Indian Aphides. 



87 



NOTES ON INDIAN APHIDES. 

 By G. B. Buckton, F.R.S. 



But little attention hitherto has been givea to the tropical Aphides 

 of the old world. Any addition to our knowledge of the species which in- 

 habit British India doubtless will prove of interest, both as being- con- 

 nected with scientific entoraolooy, and with agricultural economy. 



Hitherto these Homoptera iiave been regarded as chiefly inhabiting 

 the temperate regions of the world, but there nre reasons for believing 

 that observation only is needed to prove the existence of diverse species, 

 which control the vegetation which flourishes under the equator. 



The Aphis which attacks the bamboo {Bambusa arundinacea) of 

 Dehra Dun, hardly accords with any described European species or even 

 genus. Amongst many hundred specimens sent to me by Mr. Cotes 

 1 was unable to find a single winged individual, a circumstance which 

 for the present prevents a complete diagnosis of the species, since the 

 wing venation is of high importance for classical grouping. The 

 characters of the bamboo Aphis, however, are sufficiently distinct to 

 justify, in my opinion, the erection of a new genus, notwithstanding that 

 the diagnosis at present can refer only to the apterous viviparous female. 

 Genus Oregma (from 'opkyeiv %o protrude), Buckton, Body globose_ 

 Vertex conspicuous from the projection of two straight horn-like process, 

 es. Cornicles small and conical. Cauda inconspicuous, often tufted 

 with numerous setae. Rostrum exceedingly short and rising from 

 between the first eoxse. 



Oregtna hatnhus^e, Buckton. — Body globose, less so in the imma- 

 ture forms. CoiTugatetl and con- 

 stricted into segments. Vertex with 

 two cornua. Eyes very small. Notum 

 narrow. Eostrum very difficult to 

 see, rising from the undei-side of tbe 

 thorax, much as in Coccus. Antennse 

 about half the length of the body, 

 obscurely five-jointed and ending 

 with a nail-like process, as in Lachnus. 

 Legs short. Tarsi with two articula- 

 tions. Colour greenish brown, more 

 or less mottled with black. Many of 

 the specimens preserved in weak spirit 

 were quite black. 



Size 0-070 x 0-050 inch. 



Clusters on the upper surfaces of 



