Author : Lit, Ireneo L. Jr.

Summary : The external morphology of adult female lac insects was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy. Features previously thought to be unique to Kerriidae namely the anal tubercle, brachia and brachial plates, canellae and their associated pores and ducts are homologous to anal and stigmatic structures of Coccidae. the dorsal spine and post-oral lobes are autapomorphic to the kerriids. The enlargement of anterior spiracle is also autapomorphic. the posterior spiracle is believed to be vestigial. The genus Austrotachardia is revised and includes eight species namely : A. acaciae (Maskell), A. angulata (Froggatt), A.australis (Froggatt), A. bifida sp. nov., A. longissima sp.nov.,A. melaleucae (Maskell), A. micropoda sp.nov.,and A. pumila sp. nov. Paratachardina is represented in Australia by four species namely P. decorella (Maskell), P. gibbosa sp. nov., P. incognita sp. nov., and P. morobensis Williams & Watson and in the Philippines by P. merdelynae sp. nov. and P. minuta (Morrison). Lectotypes are also designated for A. acaciae, A. angulata, A. australis, A. melaleucae and P. decorella. Chamberliniella stat. nov. is recognized as a full genus. Chamberliniella greeni (Chamberlin), comb.nov.and C. meridionalis (Chamberlin) comb.nov. are redescribed C. fici (Green), C. javana (Chamberlin) and C. rangoonensis (Chamberlin) are also proposed as new combinations. Tachardina aurantiaca (Cockerell) from Southeast Asia is also redescribed. Notes are given for P. minuta and other Southeast Asian species. Illustrations and keys to facilitate identification of genera and species are provided.