280 Vinsonia. 
VINSONIA STELLIFERA, Westwood. 
(PLATE CVI.) 
Coccus stellifera, Westwood, Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond., pp. 3, 111 (1871). 
Vinsonia pulchella, Signoret, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., (5), Vol. Il. p. 34 (1872). 
Coccus stellifer, Signoret, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., Vol. V1. p. 608 (1876). 
Vinsonia stellifera, Douglas, Ent. Mo. Mag., Vol. XXV. p. 152 (1888). 
Adult female (figs. 1, 6, 7) with a semitranslucent waxy test, the margins of 
which are flattened and produced into seven rays that give the insect the appear- 
ance of a miniature starfish. Median area strongly convex above, the apex with 
an oblong pad of opaque white wax. Colour of living examples pink ( fg. 6), 
darkening with age to purplish red. Jn dried examples this tint fades to 
reddish brown. Anal operculum dark brown. Margin colourless during life ; 
yellowish in dried examples. Each ray is tipped by a longish conical process 
of opaque white wax. The median anterior ray carries a supplementary white 
point on each-side of the terminal process. The following two rays on each 
side have a well-defined median ridge. A pair of small white waxy processes 
project from the posterior margin immediately behind the anal aperture. 
Under surface flat (fig. 7). After oviposition, the median area shrinks and 
forms a cavity for the reception of the eggs. From below, it can be-seen that 
the median anterior ray corresponds with the cephalic lobe. The following 
two rays on each side are associated with the two pairs of stigmata, while the 
two remaining rays proceed from the abdominal lobes. At the extremity of 
each ray, below the base of the terminal process, is a fringe of minute glassy 
points—the remains of the earliest larval fringe. Diameter—across the median 
rays—3'50 to 4°50 mm. 
Female insect, denuded of its waxy covering (figs. 8, 9, 10), irregularly 
circular ; margin sinuous, the position of the rays indicated by rounded pro- 
minent processes. Cephalic lobe thin and flattened ; extended in front. The 
rest of the body highly convex and tumescent. The dorsum with four curved 
longitudinal series of irregular foveze (fig. 9). Anal operculum on a prominent 
process inclined upwards and projecting beyond the posterior margin. The 
whole dorsum—in fully matured examples—strongly chitinised. From below 
the cephalic lobe is sharply demarked by the abrupt border of a more densely 
chitinous area. A narrow, well-defined area immediately behind it is of a much 
thinner texture and is studded with irregular oval areoles. The cephalic lobe 
itself bears many translucent spots. Antenne placed on the posterior border 
of the thinner area that follows the cephalic lobe (fg. 11) ; six-jointed, the third 
nearly equal to the terminal three together (jg. 12). There is a conspicuous 
line of long, stout hairs extending between the bases of the antenne (/igs. 11, 
12). Legs rather small; tibio-tarsal articulation incomplete; tarsus very short, 
especially on anterior limbs (fv. 13). Foot with four digitules, the unguals 
