The reproduction of the Aphidæ constitutes one of the most interesting chapters in the history of the animal kingdom.
Fig. 117.—Aleyrodes Proletella (Mag.)
Family 10, Aleyrodidæ.—Many of the insects of this family resemble moths in appearance. Indeed, the typical species, Aleyrodes proletella, a very small reddish insect, was formerly considered to be a moth by the older writers on entomology.
Family 11, Coccidæ.—This family contains the Cochineal Insects, the Scale Insects, and their allies.
The Coccidæ, or Scale Insects, are sometimes very injurious to cultivated plants, but they are also useful, producing cochineal, shellac, manna, and other substances of considerable importance.
The Cochineal Insect (Coccus cacti) is a native of Mexico, and furnishes us with the most valuable and durable red dye that we possess, and the Lac Insect (Coccus lacca), an East Indian insect, produces the well-known lac-dye.
The common Scale Insect (Coccus adonidum) is well known in hothouses and conservatories in our own country, though it is not indigenous, having been imported from abroad.
