270 Ceroplastes. 
CEROPLASTES CERIFERUS, Anderson. 
(PLATE CII.) 
Coccus ceriferus, Anderson, Mon. Coccé certiferi (1791). 
Ceroplastes chilensis, Gray, Spicilegia Zoologica, p. 7 (1830), 
Ceroplastes ceriferus, Sign., Ann. Soc. Fr. (5), Vol. 11. p. 40 (1872). 
Ceroplastes australia, Walk., Cat. Brit. Mus., Homopt., Vol. 1V. p. 1087 
(1852). 
Waxy test creamy white, with a slight pinkish tinge in very young examples 
(fig. 13); at first conical, the cone gradually bending forward (jig. 11) and 
becoming obscured in older examples when it is represented by an incurved 
process just above the anterior extremity ; very thick and dense, the sides over- 
lapping and concealing the margin. There are usually more or less well-defined 
tuberosities above the stigmatic areas which are marked by opaque white waxy 
bands proceeding from the stigmata below, traversing the recurved marginal 
area and terminating in small depressions immediately above it. Three similar 
depressions, containing patches of opaque white wax, occur one on the median 
line in front and one on each side between the posterior stigmatic depression 
and the anal aperture which is marked by a minute black spot. These de- 
pressed areas correspond with pronounced conical tubercles on the sides of the 
insect itself (see fig. 14). The dense waxy test contains a quantity of watery 
matter which gives it a creamy or greasy consistency noticeable even in 
examples that have been dead and dried for many years. The wax of the fresh 
insect is said to have a sweetish taste and to be relished by the natives of India. 
The body of the insect, as visible on the under surface of the test ( fig. 2) is dark 
reddish or purplish brown. After gestation the abdominal area shrinks up, 
forming an extensive cavity which is filled by a mass of pinkish eggs. 
Adult female, after removal of waxy test (jigs. 3, 4), resembling a brownish 
globular berry, the long caudal process representing the stalk. This elongate 
process is rendered necessary by the extraordinary thickness of the waxy test. 
The body is concave below, strongly convex or globular above, the sides over- 
hanging the margins, which are slightly recurved. There is a submarginal 
series of conical tubercles—one in front, four on each side (the last two being 
contiguous), and the long caudal process. These are masked, in the earliest 
formation of the test (fig. 14) by large waxy processes. The caudal process is 
harder and darker than the rest of the body, obscurely longitudinally striate, 
and bears at its extremity the anal operculum (/g. 7), the valves of which are 
evenly rounded exteriorly. In the early adult female the body is not so globose, 
and the conical tubercles are more pronounced (gs. 6, 8). Antennz normally 
six-jointed (ig. 9), the third very long—equal to or longer than the remaining 
terminal joints together. In some examples the antennze becomes five-jointed by 
the fusion of the fourth and fifth (77g. 10). There are sometimes indications of 
a subdivision of the long third joint. Legs comparatively small ; claw stout and 
