578 Mr. C. L. Withycombe's Notes on 



In the larva, of the six Malpighian tubes, four are 

 attached distally and two are free (Plate XLIII, fig. 5). 

 The silk secreting cells swell, but apparently do not exhibit 

 a ramified nucleus. Another feature of the Coniopterygidae 

 is the great reduction in size and number of the abdominal 

 nerve ganglia by concentration. Frequently there are no 

 more than three, of which the last consists of several fused 

 ganglia (Plate XLIII, fig. G). 



The wax glands of the imago must be noticed 

 (Plate XLIII, fig. 11). These are unicellular dermal 

 glands, arranged in definite areas of the body. Their 

 presence is revealed externally by small perforations in 

 the integument. Through the perforations wax is forced 

 and takes the form of circles or short spirals. Wax-gland 

 areas are mainly situated on the abdomen, there being 

 here a pair dorso-laterally and another pair ventro- 

 laterally. Other areas occur on the dorsal surface of 

 head arid thorax, besides minor patches occasionally at 

 the base of the wings and elsewhere. 



One more peculiarity of the Coniopterygidae is the 

 marked development and dark pigmentation of chitinous 

 sclerites. The tentorium of the head, thoracic sclerites 

 and genitalia are all well marked and often specific in form. 



The position here assigned to the Coniopterygidae is 

 not to be taken as in any way indicating the true affinities 

 of the family. The Coniopterygidae represent a very 

 early oft'shoot from the Neuropterous stock, which have 

 specialised early. The present existing forms, while 

 resembling the Megaloptera in some respects, in others 

 stand quite apart; an isolated family. 



Conwentzia psociformis Curtis. 



Wing expanse 7-8 mm. This species may be recognised by the 

 strongly reduced hind-wings, common to the genus, by the cross- 

 vein from Rj to radial sector in fore-v/ings being between Rj and 

 R2+3, and by the number of antennal joints, 38-43. 



It is an exceedingly common species, being found often 

 in abundance on oaks and many plane trees in tlie heart 

 of London. Other trees are often selected, e. g. cherry, 

 pear, sallow and holly. Less commonly I have found it 

 on pines. 



The first brood emerges from the cocoons in late April 



