SCALE-INSECTS, 



53 



* f variable." The following table shows the numbers observed 

 in specimens from different trees in New Zealand : 



A very minute white Acarid (mite) has been observed fre- 

 quently under the puparia of this species, among the eggs. The 

 eggs, in most cases so observed, were shrivelled and dead. Mr. A. 

 Michael, in the paper above mentioned ("Notes on Tyroglyphidae") 

 refers to an Acarus found in America in 1873, also in puparia of 

 M. pomorum, by Mr. Riley, and expresses doubts whether or not 

 it fed upon the insect ; yet he says, " A Tyroglyphus not ordi- 

 narily predatory might regard a Coccus as suitable for gastro- 

 nomic purposes." 



20. MYTILASPIS PYRIFORMIS, Maskell. 



N.Z. Trans., Vol. XI., 1878, p. 194; Vol. XIV., 1881, 

 p. 215 ; Vol. XVII., 1884, p. 22. 



(Plate V., Fig. 6.) 



Female puparium light-brown, elongated, pyriform, flat ; 

 in. (sometimes reaching Jin.) ; breadth, 

 (reaching y^in.) ; texture, thin. The second 

 pellicle is comparatively large. 



Male puparium smaller and narrower, brown, not carinated. 



Adult female yellowish-brown or greyish; elongated, seg- 

 mented ; on the segments are a few spiny hairs. Abdomen end- 

 ing in several lobes, of which the two median are much the 

 largest. Spinnerets in a continuous arch, containing sixty to 

 seventy orifices. Many single spinnerets. Several scaly hairs 

 between the lobes. 



Adult male orange-coloured, about 3^ in. long. Antennae 

 10- jointed. Digitules, long fine hairs. Sheath of the penis long. 



Habitat On Dysoocylon spectabile and Atherosperma Novae 

 Z&landiae, Wellington ; on Coprosma, Eiccarton Bush, Canter- 

 bury. 



length, averaging 



