Genus Ripersia, Signoret.

Female insects of the general form of Dactylopius, but having antennæ of six joints: naked, or covered with cotton or meal.

Ripersia fagi, sp. nov. Plate IV., figs. 15–20.

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Adult female sub-globular or slightly elongated, naked; generally distinctly segmented, but in specimens which have been parasitised the segments become very indistinct; colour dark-red or brown; length about 1/15in. It appears to affect chiefly the upper surface of the leaves. Anal tubercles two, very inconspicuous, and just above them are two small tubercular lobules; all the four bear setæ and also short hairs, and these bear white cottony excretion, which is sometimes amalgamated in a mass, sometimes in the form of separate pencils; and from the anogenital ring springs another cottony pencil. Anogenital ring with six hairs. Antennæ somewhat slender, with six joints which have the form of those of Dactylopius: the firsts two are short, the third about as long as the first and second together, fourth and fifth equal to the second, sixth rather longer than the third, fusiform, with a few short hairs. Feet rather strong and thick: in the two anterior pairs the tarsus is almost as long as the tibia, but in the posterior pair the tibia is nearly twice as long as the tarsus; the digitules are all fine hairs. Mentum trimerous. There are no dorsal or marginal spines, but a great number of circular simple spinnerets: these are particularly numerous on the anal tubercles and lobules.

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Female of the second stage flattish, elongated, slightly segmented; colour varying from yellow to brown, red, or dark-green; length about 1/30in. The extremities are truncate. Anal tubercles inconspicuous, but a little more prominent than in the adult, and with a pair of lobules anterior to them; all these bear setæ and short hairs. Antennæ of six rather thick joints: the first five are sub-equal, the third being rather the longest; the sixth is about half as long as all the rest together. Feet rather thick; the posterior tarsi are as long as the tibiæ. Anal ring with six hairs.

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Larva active, elongated, distinctly segmented, flattish, usually expanded posteriorly; colour yellow; length about 1/45in. Anal tubercles very inconspicuous, setiferous; the anterior lobules are not noticeable. Antennæ with six rather thick joints, sub-equal, except the last which is nearly as long as the rest together. Feet thick; all the tarsi are about as long as the tibiæ. Anal ring large, with six hairs.

Male unknown.

Hab. In New Zealand, on Fagus menziesii, Reefton district.