COCCID^, OR SCALE INSECTS— III. 



By T. D. A. CocKERELL, Professor of Entomology at the New Mexico Agricultural College. 



The first part of the present series of articles (see Bulletin, No 36) dealt with the general charac- 

 teristics of the Coccidse, and the method for checking or preventing their ravages ; the second part (see 

 Bulletin, No. 40) cantained an account of the "West Indian genera ; and it now remains to discuss the 

 species in detail. 



In the Journal of the Institute of Jamaica for April, 1893 (publ. May), I gave a list of the known 

 West Indian Coccidae, 75 in number. The number of species recorded from each Island is as follows : — 

 Jamaica 61 Montserrat 4 Bahamas 1 



Antigua 16 Dominica 1 Bermuda 1 



Barbados 5 St. Kitts 1 Nevis 1 



Cuba 4 Turks I. 1 



Caicos I. 1 



From the other Islands no species are recorded ; except Trinidad, which is zoologically a part of 

 South America rather than of the West Indies. I have given a list of the scale insects of Trinidad in 

 the Agricultural Record of that island for Dec, 1892 (publ. 1893). 



To the above figures some slight additions might now be made. Mytilaspis citricola (see Insect 

 Life, vol. iv, p. 143) is a fifth species from Montserrat ; and the same scale is also on record from Ber- 

 muda, making a second species for that island. A few da5's ago I received three species from the 

 Botanic Grardens, Grenada. In Trinidad, several additional species have been collected by the members 

 of the Field Naturalists' Club, and sent to me by Mr. Urich ; these will be enumerated at some future 

 time in the Journal of the Club. 



The following six species have been recorded as found in British Gruiana, but not yet in any of the 

 West Indian Islands : Frosopophora dendrobii, Douglas (on Dendrobium) ; Tachardia lacca, Kerr (on 

 Erythroxylon coca) ; Aspidiotus destructor, Signoret (on Anona reticulata) ; A. longispinus, Morgan (on 

 Cupania sapida) ; Biaspis cymbidii, Bouche (on mango) ; Diaspis aurantii, Signoret. 



(1) leery a rosce, R. & H. (The Rose Icerya). 



Diagnosis. — The only species ol Iva ya wliiuk Xuimo nu uvisau. Half -grown individuals, bright 

 scarlet in colour, are more frequently found than the adults. The empty skins of the lai-vae are white 

 and conspicuous, owing to the abundant mealy secretion. The newly hatched larva), as is usual in the 

 genus, have six very long hairs coming from the end of the abdomen. 



Food-plants. — Originally found on rose, it has now been ascertained to live on various plants of 

 different natural orders. In Jamaica it was found by Dr. Strachan on Amherstia nobilis (which I be- 

 lieve it seriously injured,) and later on rose. Mrs. Swainson found it in abundance under the bark of 

 lignumvitse, and I have taken it on Prosopis jidiflora and a cactoid Euphorbia. It was also found 

 under the bark of a tree not identified at the Parade Gardens. For the convenience of those who may 

 wish to obtain specimens, it may be mentioned that Icerya rosce is to be found on Prosopis in East 

 Street, Kingston, just by the signboard of the Jamaica Waggonette Coy. 



Distribution. — At present it is only known fi-om Jamaica and Key West, Florida. 



Enemies. — A minute Chalcidid parasite has been bred from the rose Icerya in Jamaica ; it has been 

 named Cerchysius iceryce by Mr. L. 0. Howard. 



Destructiveness. — Although related to the very destructive Icerya purchasi, the present species does 

 not seem likely to seriously injure any cultivated crop. In gardens, when it infests choice plants like 

 Amherstia, it becomes an important pest, but with the usual remedies for scale insects there should be 

 no difficulty in suppressing it. 



(2) Icerya montserratensis, R. & H. (The Montserrat Icerya). 



Diagnosis. — The adult females form conspicuous ovisacs with longitudinal fluting, and are further 

 remarkable for long tufts of waxy matter springing from the body. The young larvae, and empty skins, 

 are much like those of /. rosce. 



Food-plants. — This species, like the last, feeds on several plants ; but no plant has yet been found 

 common to both. It has been noticed on Chrysophyllum, Clusia alba, and more than one kind of palm. 



Distribution. — First found in Montserrat, afterwards in Trinidad. Quite lately I have received 

 young specimens on a palm from the Botanic Gardens at Grenada. It is probable that Barbados should 

 be added as a locality, for some leaves, apparently Chrysophyllum, which I examined from there 

 showed empty larval skins, apparently of this species. 



Destructiveness. — In Trinidad it was found seriously injurious to Clusia, and it will probably prove 

 a troublesome pest on some kinds of fruit trees and palms. Care should be taken that it is not im- 

 ported into Jamaica- 



(3) Dactylopius virgaius, Ckll. (The Striped Mealy-Bug). 



Diagnosis. — This " mealy-bug" is about 4| millim. (less than a quarter of an inch) long. It is dis- 

 tinguished from other West Indian species by the presence of two thick tails or caudal filaments, and 

 the absence of any white processes springing from the sides. The back has usually a pair of interrupted 

 dark stripes. The male is dark olive gi-ey, with the wings shining iridescent red-purple. 



