Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 119 



2. Aspidiotus dictyospermi, Morgan, 

 var. arecce, Newstead. 

 (Sub-order Homoptera, Fam. Coccidse.) 



In January 1896, specimens of a scale-insect affecting tea plants 

 were received in the Indian Museum from Dr. G. Watt, Reporter 

 on Economic Products to the Government of India, with the 

 information that they were sent to him as samples of Lecanium on 

 tea. On examination of the scales, they, however, proved without 

 doubt to belong to the genus Aspidiotus^ but unlike any of the same 

 genus in the Indian Museum collection. To ascertain the correct 

 specific identity of the insect, specimens were submitted to Mr. W. 

 M. Maskel who kindly determined them as belonging to the species 

 Aspidiotus dictyospermi, Morgan, var. arecse, Newstead, both the 

 type and the variety being originally described from Demerara. 



The following is the description of the type by A. C. F. Morgan 

 published in the Entomologist's monthly Magazine, Vol. XXV 

 P-352. 



Aspidiotus dictyospermi^- $ scale greyish-white, with exuviae 

 in the centre, depressed, of an elongate oval shape, aboutr2 mm. 

 longest diameter. The centre of the larval skin is of a dark 

 orange colour, whilst the exuviae are of a light yellow. 



% insect has three pairs of lobes. The median pair is the 

 largest, notched on the outer lateral margin ; the second lobe is 

 similar to the first in shape, biit smaller, and the third lobe is stilh 

 smaller, with the outer lateral margin serrated. Two simple plates 

 between the median lobes, two between the first and second lobes 

 and three between the second and third. The third is followed by 

 two long plates, serrated on the outer lateral margin. Anterior to 

 the last plate the margin is serrate up to the commencement of the 

 next visible segment. The lateral margins of the first and second 

 lobes are thickened at the base. Four small spines situated as 

 usual. Four groups of ventral glands, the anterior group consisting 

 of three or four, and the posterior of two glands. The anus is situated 

 just above the base of the median lobes. There is a considerable 

 similarity between this species and A. ficus, but the plates are 

 different, and the scale is completely different, the one oval 

 greyish-white and flat, the other almost black, convex and circular. 



Found on Dictyospermum album from Demerara. 



Mr. Newstead describes the variety thus : — 



A. dictyospermi, Morgan, vsiv, arec^^ Newstead .-—Scale of the 

 % circular, exuviae central, or nearly so; th# first exuviae in the form 



