Asterolecanium. 329 
the shorter, but soon outgrows the nymphal fringe. Traces of the larval fringe 
can often be distinguished at intervals within the margin (fg. 11). 
In the nymphal stage the fringe is in a single series, but within the margin 
are remains of the divaricating filaments of the later larval stage. 
The newly hatched larva (fig. 12) is of an oblong oval form, very pale 
pinkish or reddish brown. Limbs well developed. Antennz six-jointed, the 
sixth much the longest, with truncate apex. Margin with fourteen 8-shaped 
spinnerets on each side, and a median dorsal pair of similar pores immediately 
above the rostrum. Length o72 mm. 
The larva subsequently secretes a fringe of short curling glassy filaments 
iz. 13), which are paired and diverging on the cephalo-thoracic area, but 
single on the abdominal margin (although the spinnerets giving rise to these 
latter are of the same form as the others). 
Ova very pale pinkish or yellowish. 
Male unknown. A single example was observed, in which the dorsum was 
distinctly tricarinate and bore a marginal and three dorsal series of curling 
filaments (fig. 14). This may possibly be the male puparium. 
Habitat : clustered on the stems of various species of bamboo, more par- 
ticularly upon Dezdrocalamus giganteus, Gigantochloa aspera, and Bambusa 
vulgaris; sometimes occurring singly under the leaf sheaths of the last. 
Newstead records this species as occurring on the leaves of bamboo in the 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ; but in Ceylon the insect appears to be confined 
to the stems of the plant. ; 
Recorded also from India, Algeria, Brazil, W. Indies, and Mauritius. May 
be expected to occur throughout the tropics, wherever the larger kinds of 
bamboo are grown. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE CXXV. 
ASTEROLECANIUM BAMBUS&. 
. Section of bamboo stem, with insects, nat. size. 
. Adult female, before deposition of eggs, ventral view, x 20. 
older example, dorsal view, x 20. 
after deposition of eggs, dorsal view, x 20. 
a fe 0 ventral view, X 20. 
op 4 Fy side view, X 20. 
. Early adult female, dorsal view, x 20. 
Hi op side view, X 20. 
. Fringe of adult female, x 150. 
. Early adult female, shortly after ecdysis, x 15. 
. Fringe of early adult female, x 250. 
12. Newly hatched larva, x 75. 
13. Older larva, dorsal view, x 35. 
14. ? male puparium, dorsal view, x 25. 
15. Adult female, after maceration, ventral view, x 70. 
16. Abdominal extremity of adult female, x 450. 
17. Marginal glands of adult female, x 450. 
18. Antenna of adult female, x 450, 
HOO ON Au BwWhN 
