252 
JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
Greenhouse Oethesia ok LA^•TA^-A Bug 
{Orthssta insignis, Douglas). (Figs. 118, 114.) 
Few forms there are among the Coccida? that can in any way claim 
the- title of beauty ; for, like other sub-families of the HomoiDtera, it is the 
curious and grotesque rather than the beautiful which are to be found 
among these pernicious insects. But the members of the genus Orthesia . 
are exceptions, and are the most beautiful of all coccids, and of these 
0. insignis stands in the first rank. All the beauty is due to the wonder- 
ful symmetrical arrangement of a number of glistening white waxen plates 
which cover the body. An ordinary pocket lens reveals, in a small way. 
Fig. 113. — Greenhouse Orthesia or Lantaxa Bug 
[Orthesia insignis) on Strobilantbes (nat. size). 
the striking features of the insect, but under a low power of the microscope 
it may be seen to perfection, and forms a pleasing object even to the 
casual observer. In its early stages it is of a more or less rounded form, 
with two dorsal rows of white plates, and a darker series of them at the 
margin. When half-grown, longer plates are seen extending from behind, 
giving the insect a more elongated form. (Fig. 114, A.) In the old adults 
(fig. 114, B) the anal plates lengthen out enormously, extending to about 
three-times the length of the insect's body. These anal plates are formed 
of two series, an upper and a lower ; the former fluted, the latter smooth, 
outwardly convex, and reflexed. In the comparatively large space between 
