LecaniincB. 197 



LECANIUM SIGNIFERUM, sp. nov. 

 (Plate LXVIII.) 



Adult 9 {figs. 3, 4), bright yellowish green. A conspicuous reddish-brown 

 maculate mark on the middle of the dorsum, in the form of a broad longi- 

 tudinal stripe, tapering in front and terminating a little anterior to the anal 

 scales ; with two broad transverse bands, sometimes separate from the median 

 stripe and then appearing as two large irregular blotches on each side ; the 

 anterior band directed towards the second stigmatic cleft ; the second band 

 half-way bet^veen this and the anal scales ; sometimes the whole median area 

 spotted with red-brown. Anal operculum yellow. Eyes black. Median ventral 

 area dark brown {fig. 3). After death this marking disappears more or less 

 completely, and the dried insect assumes a uniform ochreous tint. Form 

 strongly convex above ; bluntly pointed in front, rounded behind. Living insect 

 smooth above. Dried examples show traces of a median longitudinal and two 

 transverse ridges. On the median ventral (coloured) area is a deep cavity, 

 forming a receptacle for the young larvse which are produced ovoviviparously. 

 Antenna {fig. 7) seven-jointed ; fourth longest ; fifth and sixth shortest, subequal ; 

 sixth and seventh together equal to fourth ; formula : 4, 3 (2, 7), 1 (5, 6). Legs 

 well developed ; claw stout, curved ; ungual digitules stout, dilated at extremity, 

 twice as long as claw ; tarsal digitules fine knobbed hairs, extending beyond 

 unguals. Scales of anal operculum {figs. 8, g) triangular, inner edge longest ; 

 base barely shorter than outer edge, extremity bluntly pointed. In examples 

 from Caryota the outer edge is more evenly rounded to the extremity (y?^. 9), 

 and the apical angle is more obtuse. Anal ring with eight hairs, two of 

 which are much finer than the others {fig. 10). And cleft from one-sixth to one- 

 eighth length of body. Stigmatic clefts shallow, inconspicuous. Stigmatic 

 spines three, the median one three to six times the length of the others. 

 Marginal hairs very slightly dilated, frayed at extreme tip, rarely simple, both 

 forms occasionally occurring on the same individual. Submarginal tubercles 

 three or four on each side. Derm with scattered very small circular pores. 

 Length 3"5o to 3 mm. Breadth 175 to 2 mm. 



Male unknown. 



Female of second stage pale green, immaculate or with some indistinct 

 specks on median area. 



Young larva very pale green. Antenna {fig. 2) with six joints. Under 

 pressure the anal tube is everted and the six hairs of anal ring turned back- 

 wards {fig. 6). 



Habitat — on several varieties of cultivated Begonias {fig. i), the insects 

 crowded on the stems and both sides of the leaves. Occurs also on under 

 surface of leaves of Alpinia m/tans, and upon the fronds of the Kitul Palm 

 {Caryota urens). 



Very closely allied to Lee. hesperidum, L. It differs principally in the 

 coloration, and may perhaps be merely a well-marked variety. 



