2«5 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV. 



In general appearance this insect approaches Lachnus plafanicola, Riley» 

 a species that affects plane trees in North America. But as the pattern of 

 spots on the body differs to some extent, I sent specimens to Mr. G. B. Buck- 

 ton, for determination. It proves to be a new species of Lachnus. From 

 the material submitted, Mr. Buckton has kindly prepared the appended 

 description. • 



. Ziachmis pyri n. sp. 



Some interest attaches to this hitherto unobserved insect, inasmuch as it 

 forms another exception to the usual observation, that the Lachninse mostly 

 infest the conifer of a country. Its habit is to encrust the smaller branches 

 of the cultivated pear-trees at Muvara Eliya, Ceylon, much in the same 

 manner as the species Lachnus viminalis encrusts the bark of the willows of 

 Europe. 



In Ceylon it appears to leave the foliage unattacked, but nevertheless 

 causes them to wither from exhaustioij or probably by their occurrence in 

 thousands altering the character of the sap. 



Apterous Larva (fig. <z). 



Somewhat oval, constricted below the thorax, abdomen globose : vertex, 

 rather pointed, eyes large, antenna with two small vasal joints, followed by 

 two longer and obscurely jointed articulations. The terminal joints are as in 

 the genus Lachnus. 



The whole body is rugose and furrowed, brown, with dark spots, showing 

 also distinct stomata. There is a slight swelling or protuberance on the dor- 

 sum. Nectaries large and tuberculose, from which a secretion is poured, 

 much appreciated by ants and flies. Tail rounded, hirsute, as also are the 

 legs. These are stout, particularly the hind part. Rostrum long and reach- 

 ing nearly to the caseda. 



General colour umber brown, more or less covered by a slaty-coloured 

 mealy coat. Femora ferruginous red. Tarsi black. Size = 3-5 x 2-5 mille- 

 metres. 



Winged female (fig. h). 



Much larger than the above, with much the same colour, however, on the 

 upper-side. The under-side rather downy, and of a rusty red. Head small, 

 thorax and stirnum black. Antennae fine and short. 



