12 



found it in Mexico (at Cuautla in Morelos) on coffee; and it is 

 also reported to occur in Mauritius. In addition to the host 

 plants already mentioned, cactus, cocoanut palm. Acalypha and 

 Tribulus cistoides are given. In these islands it has been found 

 on D 01 id) os labldb, poinsettia, oleander, violets, litchi, and klu 

 as well as on cotton. The species is recognized by its elongated 

 shape and the peculiar character of its white waxy secretion, 

 which appears flake-like and glassy. The secretion of imma- 

 ture specimens takes the form of long slender glassy threads, 

 which project from head, back and sides in all directions, form- 

 ing a sort of web. There are. besides, two long white waxy 

 caudal filaments but no apparent lateral filaments except the 

 fine filamentous threads already referred to. 



Life history. The eggs are minute, oval, and golden yellow. 

 A single female will deposit apparently several hundred or 

 more. The eggs hatch within a day or two. There are two 

 larval stages characterized by six and seven jointed antennae 

 respectively. The first larva measures 0.3-1 mm. The second 

 larva 1.5-1.8 mm. The adult female has 8 jointed antennae 

 and is 2 mm. in length. The first larval stage occupies twenty 

 days, the second larval stage eight days, the latter giving place 

 to the adult female. Coincident with the appearance of the 

 adult female occur the male pupae, and six days later the 

 male itself emerges. Copulation takes place at once. The 

 male, as is usual in the Coccidae. is much inferior in size to the 

 female. It has two chalky-white, iridescent wings, long caudal 

 filaments, and antennae with ten joints. After fecundating the 

 female the male soon perishes. The female survives until its 

 eggs are formed and deposited, which may require weeks. 

 While the eggs are forming its body becomes tumid and vastly 

 increased in size. The life-cycle may be said to cover at least 

 two months. Apparently the species breeds uninterruptedly 

 throughout the year. With its great fecundity and rapid 

 growth, its ability to increase in enormous numbers and become 

 a pest is not at all surprising. It is. however, undoubtedly 

 held in check by climatic conditions as well as by natural 



