Morphology of Ceroplastes pseudoceriferus GREEN with Special Refernce to the Wax Secretion

Abstract

Morphological observations on Ceroplastes pseudoceriferus GREEN, one of the common scale insects in Japan, were carried out throughout the postembryonic development with a special interest on the relations of the dermal gland pores and ducts to the wax secretion. The progress of morphological changes during the development from the first instar larva to the adult was described in detail, with reference to the external appearance of the waxy coverins of each instar. The dermal gland pores and ducts could be classified into six types : Simple pore, cuciform pore, quinquelocular disc pore, multiocular disc pore, tubular duct and filamentous duct. On the basis of the distribution and the time of apperance on the body surface it is inferred that the simple pore is responsible for the secretion of wet wax which is produced after the third instar, the quinquelocular disc pore for powdery was in the stigmatic furrows, and the multilocular disc pore for powdery wax around the vulva. By the method used, no type of pores or ducts which are responsible for the secretion of dry wax in the first and second instars, was found.