Coccus

Coccus, a genus of insects in the order Hemiptera, and type of a family (Coccidæ), including many forms very injurious to plants, and a few others which have come to be of use to man. For the latter, see COCHINEAL, LAC, MANNA, WAX. As general characteristics may be noted the beaded feelers, the general absence of wings in the female, the degeneration of suctorial proboscis and posterior wings in the males, and the peculiar history of both sexes. The young forms are somewhat tortoise-like, and run about on plants with some activity. The adult females attach themselves by their proboscis to a juicy part of the plant, and surrender themselves to feeding and maternity. They often become berry-like, plump, much resembling excretions, or else very flat and scale-like. In the latter form they are often called scale-insects. The body always degenerates more or less, and after fertilisation becomes simply a case, or eventually a dead covering for the eggs and larvæ. The young males also come to rest, and undergo a peculiar metamorphosis. From the resting larva an elegant male insect results, with developed anterior, but degenerate or aborted posterior wings. The males fertilise the females, but being without suctorial proboscis, are probably short-lived. In fact, both male and female adults seem to fall victims to the characteristics of their sex. The young shelter for a while under the dead female, and then start for themselves. For the important species and related genera, see the articles above referred to.