36 



Signoret describes the newly hatched larva, the adult female before 

 and after impregnation, and the immature male. Concerning the latter 

 stage he writes : 



We have collected a large number of active male nymphs, but no complete males. 

 As with the preceding genus [Nidularia~], when one disturbs these insects during 

 their state of metamorphosis, they are apt to run away. This is what M. Lichtenstein 

 has noticed with Dactylopius vitis, which he has pointed out as having an active 

 nymph ; but, according to us, it is to avoid danger, and under natural conditions the 

 nymphs do not leave the sort of sac which serves them as a cradle [berceau~\. 



In this conclusion Signoret has been at fault. The true pupa is not 

 active, and from the nature of its sheathed limbs can not be active. 

 The form which Signoret describes and calls the "nymph" casts off the 

 pupa skin while yet in the cocoon and issues with its wings as yet un- 

 folded and represented simply by pads, as shown in Fig. 3. It remains 

 in this condition for some time (several days ?), runs freely about, with 

 great activity, as we have seen, and, according to Mr. Jack's observations, 

 even copulates with the female before its wings expand. It was in this 

 condition that Signoret always found it. Others issue later with ex- 

 panded wings and of the appearance shown in Fig. 5c, possessing long 

 anal filaments. No casting of the skin has been observed between the 

 two stages, but one may have taken place, and the form with the wing 

 pads should be considered a pseudimago comparable with the form so- 

 called in the Ephemerids. 



Signoret's descriptions of the different stages are sufficiently accurate, 

 and we may simply give a brief resume of the appearance, adding a 

 fuller description of the adult male. 



The newly hatched larva is of an elongated oval form, narrower be- 

 hind, of a clear yellow color, each segment with a strong lateral spine 

 and the front border of the body with six spines. The genito-anal ring- 

 has six hairs, around which is later formed a secretion which renders 

 them invisible. There is a double row of spines down the middle of the 

 back ; the antennae are six-jointed, the first three joints longest, the 

 fourth and fifth shortest. (See Fig. 1.) 



The adult female before impregnation is of a similar shape, but the 

 terminal lobes of the abdomen are more developed. Each segment is 

 covered with spiny spinnerets secreting wax. The antennae are six 

 jointed, second and third longest, fourth and fifth shortest. There is 

 an elongated protuberance each side of the antennae. The legs are short 

 and slender, with the tibia shorter than the tarsus. The genito-anal 

 ring has 8 hairs. (See Fig. 5a.) 



The full-grown male larva has seven-jointed antenna?, joint 7 long- 

 est, the rest equal. After impregnation the female becomes more round, 

 tixes herself, the secretion becomes much more abundant on the sides, 

 making at first lammellre, which afterwards unite into a continuous 

 cushion. The back becomes smooth and the segmentation is plainly 

 visible. The dorsum is plane transversely, but curved longitudinally. 

 Particularly after the birth of the young, the female becomes well 



