34. Ctenochiton flavus, Maskell.
N.Z. Trans., Vol. XVI., 1883, p. 130; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 26.
([Plate VII.], Fig. 5.)
Female test golden, waxy, flat beneath, convex above; outline circular or slightly elliptical, with a fringe of broadly triangular segments round the edge. Apex of the test an irregular elongated mass of wax, the remainder divided into two concentric series of plates, the inner series pentagonal with sharp angles, the outer pentagonal with rounded angles and with the outer side forming the base of the segments of the fringe. The inner series forms often irregular lumps of wax. Diameter of test sometimes reaching 1/9in. The colour is often hidden by black fungoid growths.
Test of male much narrower than that of the female, having an irregularly rectangular edge with deep curvilinear depressions. It is glassy, white and shining, flat beneath and elevated above, and marked with numerous horizontal striæ. The upper central portion is sometimes flat, sometimes an irregular mass of the glassy secretion. On the lower side there is often a plate of secretion, so that the pupa is almost entirely enclosed.
The adult female fills the test, shrivelling up after gestation: it is consequently flat beneath, convex above, with general outline of Lecanidinæ. The spiracular spines are very long and conspicuous; from their base a double row of minute circular spinneret orifices runs as far as the spiracle, with two or three outlying ones at the base of the spine; and a single row of the same kind of orifices runs across the body to the spiracle on the other side. Along the edge of the body there is a series of conical sharp spines; and scattered all over are many tubular projecting spinnerets. The abdominal cleft is deep, and the two lobes are conspicuous on the dorsal side; these lobes are not smooth, but irregular, and each bears at the end three or four strong spines. The antennæ have six joints; but the third joint often looks like two on account of the false division or depressed ring: the last joint has several long hairs. Feet normal; the upper digitules fine long hairs, the lower pair very broad. The anal ring bears a number of long hairs, of which eight seem to be conspicuous. The colour of the insect is a golden brown; diameter averaging 1/12in.
The second stage of the female is normal of the genus, showing the wavy outline, somewhat strongly marked in many specimens, but not conspicuous in others. The spiracular spines are prominent, and a row of conical spines runs round the edge of the body, as in the adult. The test is at first very thin and brittle, and with a fringe of broad, shallow segments; but afterwards becomes thicker, and in the end, before the change to the final stage, it approaches almost the form of the waxy test of an adult Ceroplastes.
The young insect is normal.
The adult male is normal of the genus. The legs are very long and slender; the four digitules are fine hairs. At the extremity of the tibia there is a strong spine. Abdominal spike, or sheath of the penis, slightly curved, with a seta on each side of its basal tubercle. Antennæ of ten joints; the first two very short, the rest longer and equal. On the last joint are several long hairs, of which three are knobbed.