44 



INSECTS OP SAMOA. 



at very remote intervals ; immediately within the margin is a complete single 

 series of large very conspicuous tubercles, each being composed apparently of 



two side pieces and two median, 

 with the apex terminating in 

 four sharp points ; 29 to 30 of 

 these tubercles lie on the cep- 

 halic portion, and a similar 

 number on each side between 

 the thoracic and caudal folds. 

 Thoracic tracheal fold almost 

 cup-shaped with about 10 long 

 finger-like processes arising 

 from the base, all of approxi- 

 mately the same length. Caudal 

 fold produced into a comb, the 

 median teeth the longest. 

 Suture separating thorax and 

 abdomen curved cephalad, not 

 reaching margin ; median ceph- 

 alic suture present. Abdo- 

 men with segments demarked 

 medianly ; five pairs of medio- 

 lateral circular pores, one pair 

 to each segment, a pair of 

 strong median spines imme- 

 diately behind the transverse suture, a pair of short spines in the usual position 

 at the anterior lateral angle of the vasiform orifice, and another large pair 

 submarginally on either side of the caudal comb. The interior lateral and 

 posterior margin of vasiform orifice with a comb of teeth. Length 0-7-0-8 

 mm. ; breadth 0-5 mm. 



Upolu Island, Apia, thickly coating the upper surface of the leaves of cul- 

 tivated Croton,^ iv.l925. 



The shape of the submarginal series of tubercles, the colour of the secretion 



^ It does not follow that, because it was found on this cultivated plant, the species has recently 

 been introduced. Crotons were probably carried about the Pacific by the early Polynesians, 

 and they are still used in ritual in many parts of Melanesia.— P. A. Buxton. 



Text-fig. 3. — Aleuroplatiis (Orchamus) samoanus Laing, 

 sp.n. ; A, pupa case ; b, thoracic tracheal comb ; c, vasi- 

 form orifice, d, caudal fold. 



