Ceroplastes. Selig 
CEROPLASTES FLORIDENSIS, Comstock. 
(PLATE CV.) 
Ceroplastes floridensis, Comst., Rep. U.S. Dep. Agric., 1880, p. 331 (1881). 
Ceroplastes rusct, Ashmead (70% Linn.), Can. Enz, Vol. X11. p. 252 (1880). 
Adult female (jigs. 3 to 6) broadly ellipsoidal in outline, strongly convex ; with 
a dense covering of opaque wax, which is greatly thickened and recurved on the 
margins. The waxy test is usually subdivided by shallow depressed lines which 
are also continued over the thickened margin ; but in many old examples the 
dorsal area may be quite smooth and homogeneous. In living examples the 
dorsal area of the test has a pinkish tinge, the marginal area being creamy 
white. After death the pink tinge disappears and the waxy covering is at first 
uniform yellowish, later becoming translucent and assuming the reddish-brown 
colour of the underlying insect. The usual opaque white stigmatic bands are 
broad and conspicuous, and there is a series of eight depressed spots on the 
margin, giving rise to small opaque white points. These and the apical waxy 
pad frequently become blackish (through a growth of fungus) in old samples, 
and the apical pad is occasionally eccentric (figs. 3, 4). In living examples the 
test has much the appearance of a minute ‘cowry’ shell (Cyfvza). Length of 
mature test varying from 2°75 to 3°75 mm. 
Insect denuded of wax (figs. 7, 13) dark purplish brown in life, but—after 
treatment with potash—almost colourless in immature examples and brownish in 
adult specimens. The anal process always brownish, only moderately prominent. 
Body evenly rounded above (ig. 13), the margin indented at the stigmatic areas. 
Antenne (fg. 10) six-jointed: the third very long, almost equal to the second and 
three terminal joints together. Legs well developed ; the ungual digitules of 
foot broadly spatulate (7g. 15). Margin with a fringe of minute curved hairs 
which give place to small conical or fusiform spines at the stigmatic areas (/zg. 7). 
Stigmatic spines considerably larger (jg. 8) and often bifid or trifid (jig. 9). 
Valves of anal operculum (jig. 14) with base and outer edge forming an even 
curve ; apex pointed. Length 2°50 to 3:25 mm. 
Male unknown. 
Nymphal test (77g. 11) composed of pinkish white wax, the centre occupied 
by the raised opaque white larval pad ; a submarginal series of thirteen stout 
pointed opaque white waxy processes. 
Larval test (/7g. 12) consisting of the dorsal pad and fifteen pointed radiating 
processes, between which the reddish colour of the insect is discernible. 
Newly hatched larva and eggs pale purplish. 
On tea, guava, and numerous shrubs and plants. Widely distributed through- 
out the island. 
Recorded also from the United States, West Indies, Hawaiian Islands, India, 
Brazil, Japan, Australia, and Java. 
