LecaniincB. 207 



LECANIUM TESSELLATUM, Sign., VAR. PERFORATUM, Newst. 



(Plate LXXII.) 

 Lee. tessellatutn, Signoret, Essai siir les Cockenilles, p. 231, pi. XL, fig. 4, 



iS73- 



Lee. perforatum, Newstead, Entomologists Montlily Magazine, October, 

 1S94, p. 233. 



Adult ? {figs. 4, 5) irregularly oval, bluntly acuminate in front, broadly 

 rounded behind ; sometimes almost deltoid ; usually asymmetrical ; flattish, 

 median area very slightly convex, margins very thin. Under surface flat ; a 

 small hollow on each side of abdomen {fig. 4). Colour dark castaneous, paling 

 to fulvous or greenish yellow at margin. Dorsal area divided into numerous 

 irregular plates, forming an intricate marqueterie pattern, more conspicuous 

 after treatment with potash. The pattern is roughly, but not absolutely, sym- 

 metrical on the two sides of a median line. The number of separate tesserae 

 varies slightly in different individuals by the confluence of adjoining plates, but 

 the main plan is constant, viz., four series on each side of the median line 

 {fig. 5), indicated on the surface by a series of depressed irregularly polygonal 

 spaces, divided by slight carina;. Dermal cells numerous but ill defined, 

 irregularly oval, groups of them often forming irregular rosettes ; there is also, 

 near the margin of each plate, more particularly on those of the median series, 

 a series of minute translucent pores {fig. 10), bearing a fanciful resemblance to 

 rivet holes for the attachment of armour plates. Eyes minute, black, marginal. 

 Marginal hairs small, simple. Submarginal tubercles 5 to 7 on each side. Stig- 

 matic cleft {fig. 9) with three (rarely four) stout spines, the median one longest and 

 projecting beyond the margin. Anal cleft rather more than one-quarter the total 

 length of the insect. Scales of anal operculum {fig. 8) together forming a square, 

 their extremities rather acutely pointed. Anal ring with six hairs, two (some- 

 times three) stout hairs, each surmounting a small conicle tubercle on each side of 

 ventral aperture {fig. 7). Antenna >yfig. 5) with eight joints, the divisions be- 

 tween third and fourth often very indistinct, division between seventh and eighth 

 usually diagonal ; formula variable, eighth always considerably the longest, 

 sixth and seventh shortest, second to fifth subequal. Legs rather small but 

 well developed ; tarsus shorter than tibia ; digitules normal. Length 3 to 

 475 mm. Breadth 2 to 3 mm. 



Young larvae crowded beneath the body of the parent, which is apparently 

 ovoviviparous. Foot of young larva {fig. 3) with four unequal digitules, the 

 unguals particularly asymmetrical, one being a stout knobbed hair, while the 

 other is broadly dilated ; the tarsals are both knobbed hairs, but one is much 

 stouter than the other. 



Male unknown in any stage. 



Habitat commonly on fronds ot the palm Caryota tirensj also on Coeos 

 nucifera, Cinnamomum, Litsea, Moesa indica, and Hiptage madablota. Widely 



