Habitat—On Coprosma lucida, Riccarton Bush, Christchurch; Drimys colorata, (plentifully) on hill above Lyttelton; Atherosperma, Wellington.
A very pretty little species, clearly distinguished by the form of the test and the alternate spines of the adult female.
Female insects naked in all stages; form variable; apodous in adult stage, or retaining the feet; viviparous or oviparous, with or without attached ovisac; abdominal cleft and lobes always present. Male pupæ in some cases covered with waxy secretion.
Females naked, flat or convex; viviparous or oviparous; propagating without ovisac; arboreal.
Dr. Signoret (loc. cit., 1873, p. 396) divides the genus into six series, as follows:—
(1.) Species flat, usually viviparous; example, L. hesperidum.
(2.) Species more or less convex, elongated; example, L. persicæ.
(3.) Species more or less globular, the skin tessellated; example, L. aceris.
(4.) Species more or less globular, the skin perforated with oval markings; example, L. hemisphæricum.
(5.) Species rugose, with dorsal keels; example, L. oleæ.
(6.) Species globular, with cleft beneath for attachment to twigs; example, L. emerici.
The following are the only species reported as yet in New Zealand; but the genus is so widely spread and the species are so numerous that doubtless many others will hereafter occur in this country.