284 Ceroplastodes. 
CEROPLASTODES, Ck//. 
Ceroplastodes, Cockerell, The Entom., Vol. XXVI. p. 350 (1893). 
Adult female, with glassy sac (or test) free from the body of the insect. Test 
either rugose, or with irregular waxy granules, or bearing symmetrical polygonal 
waxy plates. 
During gestation, the insect shrinks into the anterior portion of the test, 
the residual cavity then becoming packed with ova. After oviposition, the 
abdominal segments are turned up till their ventral surface assumes a position 
approximately at right angles with the under surface of the thorax. Legs and 
antennz normal and well developed. Stigmatic clefts well defined ; each cleft 
with a single very long pointed stigmatic spine. Margin of body with a fringe 
of stout conical spines, usually in two or more rows. Other characters as in 
Lecanium. 
This genus differs from both /g/zsza and Ctenochiten in the body of the 
insect lying freely within the test and contracting (after oviposition) to one end, 
the hinder cavity forming a receptacle for the numerous ova. 
Occurs throughout the Indian region, in Central America, and in Australia. 
SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 
A. Test colourless, with numerous irregular granular pro- 
jections. Marginal spines of female 2-deep ............ cajant, p. 285. 
B. Test colourless, with symmetrical series of prominent 
polygonal plates. Marginal spines of female 2-deep chz/on, p. 287. 
C. Test greenish, with numerous small glassy spicules, more 
or less interspersed with short hair-like filaments. 
Marginal spines of female 3- or 4-deep............se0008 virescens, p. 288. 
