211 , Indian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV, 



Adult female somewhat peg-top-shaped, the cephalic region large 

 and smooth, the abdomen small, segmented and tapering to the 

 two anal tubercles, which are prominent, and bear each a long seta. 

 Colour dark reddish-brown ; length, exclusive of the tubercles, 

 about -^ inch. On maceration and boiling in potash the anatomical 

 details can be made out. On the cephalic region, there are four 

 bands of very small, circular spinneret orifices; these bands 

 correspond with the position of the four stigmata of the body. On 

 the abdominal segments there are rows of double, or figure-of-eight, 

 spinnerets ; many of these also are scattered over the cephalic 

 region. From these double spinnerets spring long white curling 

 threads, which form the felted sac. The rostrum is conical, and the 

 mentum is bi-articulate. The antennae are atrophied and very 

 short ; the number of joints cannot be clearly made out, owing to 

 compression, which confuses them ; but the normal number in the 

 genus is six, and probably this is the case here also. The tip bears 

 a few strong short hairs. The feet are entirely absent. 



The second stage of the insect has not been observed. 



The larva, just after leaving the &gg^ is of the normal shape of 

 the genus — elongated, flattish, tapering slightly posteriorly ; exhibit- 

 ing the anal tubercles. Colour reddish ; length about one-fortieth 

 of an inch. Antennae of six sub-equal joints, all slightly dilated 

 at the end except the last, which is irregular and pointed, and bears 

 some hairs ; all the joints appear to be numerously ringed. Feet 

 normal. On the body there are four longitudinal rows of figure of 

 eight spinnerets. The anal tubercles bear long setse. 



Adult male red ; somewhat short and squat ; the thorax broad, and^ 

 the abdominal segments compressed. Length of the body, about 

 one-fortieth of an inch. The last segment of the abdomen bears on 

 each side three longish setae. Antennae of ten joints, the first very 

 short, the rest sub-equal, elliptical, except the second, which is 

 dilated at the tip ; all the joints bear hairs. Feet slender; upper 

 digitules long and slender, lower pair short ; fine hairs. Abdominal 

 spike conical pointed. 



Hab.'-^On Pittosporum undulatum^ South Australia. 



Diaspis ealyptroideSf Costa, var. cacti, Comstk. 



Coccid on Prickly Pear. 

 In March 1896, specimens of Prickly Pear infested by Coccids 

 were forwarded to the Museum from Southern India through 



