Book Description

Excerpt from The Coccidae of Ceylon, Vol. 5 I have treated this group (usually included with the Dactylopiin ) as a separate family, as they appear to form a natural assemblage with distinct characters; though they are undoubtedly nearly allied to the other 'Mealy Bugs' comprised in the genera Pseudococcus) Phenacoccus Ripersia, &c. The character that is most noticeable in members of this family is the presence of conspicuous prominent (often densely chitinous, anal lobes. This character connects them also with certain members of the Asterolecaniime (e.g., Cerococcus). The genera Kennes and Fonscolombia, the adult females of which are without any trace of anal lobes, must be regarded as exceptions, but the early larvae of these genera suggest their relationship to the Eriococcinc group. Maskell (Trans. N.Z. 1883, p. 128) proposed the name Hcmicoccina for a sub-family to contain the genera Kennes and Asterolecauium, in the belief that the species of these genera combined the characters of the Lccaniince (in the adult stage) with those of the Dactylopiina: (in the larval stages). But recent study has shown that this idea was founded upon a misconception of the characters of the insects in question. Pseudopulvinaria of Atkinson (syn. Lefroyia, Green) is another genus that docs not appear, at first sight, to conform with the characters of the Eriococciuce, and this also was originally referred to the Hemicoccince. But, as I have shown in my description and figures of Lefroyia castania (=Pseudopulvinaria sikkimensis), this difference is more apparent than real. The anal lobes are strongly developed in the larva; but, during subsequent growth, they become distorted and retracted within an anal pit. The remaining genera (Eriococcus, Rhizococcus and Gossyparia) have all the typical characters of the family, differing from each other merely in the nature of the secretionary covering. The antennae are comparatively short, never exceeding seven joints, the last of which is not elongated as in Pseudococcus and its allies. The body is usually armed with conspicuous dermal spines, except in the genera Kennes and Pseudopulvinaria. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."