Female of the second stage oval, flatter than the adult, and of a rich golden colour; length, about 1/40in. The segments of the body are somewhat more distinct than in the adult. The anal tubercles are proportionately larger, and bear terminal setæ. Antennæ longer than in the adult, with six joints. Feet also longer. All round the edge runs a row of conical spines, set more closely than in the adult; and from each of these springs a long curly tube of white cotton, making a kind of fringe to the body; each tube is a little dilated at the end, and then tapers to a narrow point. The base of each conical spine is a somewhat large tubercle.
Young larva free, active, elongated, slightly convex, tapering to the anal extremity; colour yellow; length, about 1/60in. Antennæ as in adult, with six joints. Feet somewhat large. Anal tubercles thick, conspicuous, setiferous, with one short hair. On the edge of the body a row of conical spines set far apart, and on the dorsum four other longitudinal rows.
Adult male red in colour, about 1/30in. long. Antennæ of nine joints, all bearing hairs; the last joint nearly globular. Feet slender; digitules fine hairs. Abdominal spike short, thick, with sometimes a curved appendage. A rather strong seta on each side of the base of the spike.
As a rule, the adult female is nearly buried in a circular depression, or pit, formed in the leaf, and with the wall of the pit somewhat curled over it. On the other side of the leaf is a corresponding elevation, of a brown colour. Diameter of pit, about 1/18in. The abdominal pencil of cotton and the anal tubercles of the female usually protrude at the edge of the pit, probably to attract the male. After gestation, the female disappears within the pit, and the young larvæ are also sheltered in it for a while.
Sometimes two females inhabit the same pit.
The females which are not in pits are generally of a dark-red, or brown, colour.
Habitat—On Santalum Cunninghamii (maire), Te Aute, Hawke's Bay.
A very distinct species, easily distinguishable by the pits on the leaves.