This species has been referred to by many writers under the specific name "conchiformis;" some authors include it under the genus Aspidiotus, others under Coccus, and one--Réaumur--under Chermes. In the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, February, 1885, Mr. A. Michael refers to it as _Coccus (Mytilaspis) pomicorticis_. The groups of spinnerets have been stated above to be "variable." The following table shows the numbers observed in specimens from different trees in New Zealand:-- Uppermost Upper Side Lower Side Groups. Groups. Groups. Apple 17 17 14 Plum 20 17 17 Lilac 17 19 16 Ash 10 12 9 Cotoneaster 7 15 10 A very minute white Acarid (mite) has been observed frequently 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 Tyroglyphidæ") 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 ordinarily predatory might regard a Coccus as suitable for gastronomic 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; length, averaging 1/10in. (sometimes reaching 1/8in.); breadth, averaging 1/15in. (reaching 1/12in.); texture, thin. The second pellicle is comparatively large. Male puparium smaller and narrower, brown, not carinated. Adult female yellowish-brown or greyish; elongated, segmented; on the segments are a few spiny hairs. Abdomen ending 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 1/30in. long. Antennæ 10-jointed. Digitules, long fine hairs. Sheath of the penis long. Habitat--On _Dysoxylon spectabile_ and _Atherosperma Novæ Zælandiæ_, Wellington; on Coprosma, Riccarton Bush, Canterbury. In the female puparium and in the length of the abdominal spike of the male this species resembles _M. buxi_, Bouché (Signoret, loc. cit., 1868, p. 93), but differs in all other respects. Genus: CHIONASPIS, Signoret. Female puparium usually white, elongated; pellicles at one end; generally flat. Male puparium white, elongated, carinated; pellicle at one end. Groups of spinnerets, five (in one American species, six); rarely wanting.