1
-
i i-
CATALOGUE
OF
BRITISH HYMENOPTERA
IN
THE COLLECTION
OF THE
(BRITISH MUSEUM
L.. *
BY
FREDERICK SMITH, M.E.S.
PART I.
APID^E BEES.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1855.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEE! STREET.
ENTOMOLOG*
PREFACE.
THIS Catalogue contains descriptions of all the species of
BEES which have hitherto been found in Great Britain,
with some account of the hahits of the genera and the
peculiar economy of individual species, at the same time
indicating their localities. Considerable attention has been
devoted to the synonyma ; and to ensure accuracy in the
nomenclature, British examples have been compared with
authentically-named continental specimens.
The species contained in the British Museum are indi-
cated by the letters B.M. at the end of the description.
JOHN EDWARD GRAY.
British Museum,
1 May, 1855.
717
CATALOGUE
BEES OF GEEAT BRITAIN.
Tribe IV. ANTHOPHILA, Lair.
PIEZATA, PT., Fabr.
Consisting of two sexes in all the solitary species, males and
females, to which another is added in the social ones, usually
called a neuter, abortive female, or worker; the females and
workers, excepting in the case of the hive and parasitic bees,
furnished with apparatus for conveying pollen, and armed with
a sting ; possessing antennae, twelve-articulate in the females and
workers, and thirteen-articulate in the males'; the abdomen of
the females having six segments or rings, that of the males con-
sisting of seven ; all possessing four variously veined wings ; two
compound eyes placed laterally on the head, and three simple
eyes (stemmata) on the vertex ; the tongue obtuse, lanceolate, or
filiform; all in their larva state feeding on pollen or honey,
stored up by the parent. Some parasitical, consuming the food
stored up for the legitimate inhabitant of the nest.
2 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Fam. 1. Andrenidae.
ANDRENET.E, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 147.
ANDRENIDJE, Leach, Sam. Comp.
This family may very conveniently and appropriately be divided
into two subfamilies, as proposed by Westwood in his Introduc-
tion : namely Obtusilingues, and Acutilingues ; to the former only
the two first genera belong, they having the tongue resembling
that of a wasp, whilst the remaining gejiera have that organ
more or less lanceolate at the apex.
Subfamily 1. OBTUSILINGUES, Westw.
Genus 1. COLLETES, Latr.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 953 (1766).
Andrena, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 307 (1793).
iMegilla, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 328 (1804).
Melitta, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. i. 130*0 (1802).
Colletes, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiii. 359 (1805).
Evodia, Panz. Krit. Revis. p. 208 (1806).
Head subtriangular, as wide as the thorax ; the mentum thrice
the length of the labium or tongue, the apex bilobed ; the para-
glossae nearly as long as the labium, rounded at their apex; the
labial palpi four-jointed, the joints subequal ; the maxillary palpi
six-jointed; the stemmata placed in a line on the vertex. The
wings with one marginal, arid three complete submarginal cells.
The economy of the insects which compose the present genus
has been frequently quoted from the interesting history given by
Reaumur, who found them constructing their burrows in the in-
terstices of stone walls, the spaces between the stones no doubt
being filled with earth or some soft kind of mortar ; they are
found burrowing in light sand-banks. One species, C. Daviesana
of Kirby's MSS., is extremely abundant in many sandy districts,
particularly in the county of Kent ; where, as I learnt on having
an opportunity of examining Mr. Kirby'ti own interleaved copy
of ' The Monographia,' he himself had observed it, near Maid-
stone. The burrows of these insects are from 8 to 10 inches in
length ; they are lined at the further end with a very thin trans-
parent membranaceous coating, resembling gold-beater's skin :
the insect having stored up a sufficient supply of pollen and
honey in a semi-fluid state, closes up the cell with a cap of the
same substance as the lining of the tube ; this cap is stretched
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 3
flat across, like the parchment on a drum-head ; a little within
she next constructs a concave cap, serving as the end of the
cell ; her former labour is then repeated until she has furnished
six or eight cells, when the whole is completed. There is little
doubt that the same bee constructs more than one of these tubes,
as there never appears any trace of a second tunnel running into
the first, as may be observed in many other species of solitary
bees, particularly Halicti, Andrenidce, and Anthophoridce. These
bees are subject to the attacks of two parasites, one feeding upon
the larvae, the other upon the pollen ; the first is a Dipterous
insect, Miltogramma punctata ; these flies are very frequently to
be seen entering the burrows of the bees, and have been often
bred from the cocoons of Colletes ; the second parasite is the
beautiful little bee, Epeolus variegatus, which has been very fre-
quently reared from the cells of Colletes.
These bees are gregarious, forming large colonies, particularly
the C. Daviesana; and although their numbers are to some
extent reduced by the parasites named, still their destruction by
these means sinks into insignificance when compared to the
wholesale slaughter committed upon them by Forficulce ; these
omnivorous enemies devour indiscriminately pupa?, larvae, or
pollen; and in some situations they abound to such an extent,
that not less than three-fourths of the bees perish through the
attacks of these destructive insects.
There are four known British species of this genus, the type
being the Apis succincta of Linnaeus : the authentic specimen is
preserved in the cabinet at the Linnaean Society's Museum.
1. Colletes succincta.
C. nigra, albido-villosa ; thorace fulvo ; abdomine ovato ; seg-
mentis margiue albis.
Apis succincta, Linn. Syst. Nat. \. 955. 18, ^ Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Christ. Hym. p. 185. t. 15. f. 7.
Andrena succincta, Fabr. Syst. Ent. 378..J4 ; Sp. Ins. i. 474. 18 ;
Mant. i. 299. 20.
Rossi, Faun. Eh us. ii. 98. 899.
Apis calendarum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 83. 19 $ .
Melitta succincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. $ % .
Hylaeus glutinosus, Latr. Cuv. R. Anim. i. ed. 3. 513 $ .
Megilla calendarum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 335. 33 $ .
Colletes succincta, Smith, Zool. iv. 1276. 1.
Evodia calendarum, Panz. Krit. Revis. p. 208.
Spin. Ins. Lig. ii. 197. 1.
Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. i. t. 14. f. 7.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 2. 1 <? . 22 ? .
B'2
4 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Collates fodiens, Curt. Brit. Ent. ii. f. 85.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 298. 3.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal 206. 2.
Reaum. Mem. vi. t. 12. f. 1-13.
Female. Length 5-5^ lines. Black ; the clypeus roughly
punctured, the punctures uniting and forming striae towards
the apex ; the head and thorax clothed above with pale ful-
vous pubescence, beneath it is griseous ; the tibiae and tarsi
have also a pale fulvous pubescence, the claws ferruginous ;
the wings hyaline, their nervures ferruginous. Abdomen shining,
the base closely punctured, more strongly than the following
segments, on which the punctures are very delicate ; the mar-
gin of the basal segment rufo-piceous, and having on each side
a little pale fulvous pubescence ; a band of short pale or white
pubescence on the apical margin of each segment ; the band on
the basal segment passes in the middle on to the basal margin
of the second. B.M.
Male. Length 3-4 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
head and thorax of the same colour as that of the female, the
clypeus being densely covered. The abdomen is elongate -
ovate, more strongly punctured than in the other sex ; all the
segments have a pale fulvous marginal band; beneath, the
segments have a white marginal fringe. B.M.
This species resembles C. fodiens, but is easily distinguished
by its polished abdomen and the ferruginous margin of the basal
segment ; the specimens described are in the finest condition,
but allowance must always be made for the pubescence being
more or less bleached according to age. This bee is found scat-
tered over most parts of the country ; it is found at Weybridge,
Surrey ; Blackwater and other parts of Hampshire ; Arundel,
Sussex ; Isle of Wight ; also in Cumberland ; and Mr. Wollaston
has taken it at Killarney ; it has been observed to be very partial
to the flowers of the heath, and indeed it appears to be most
commonly met with on heaths or commons; it occurs during
June, July and August. *
2. Collates fodiens.
C. nigra, albido-villosa ; thorace fulvesceriti ; abdomine punc-
tulatissimo, margine pallide fulvescente.
Melitta fodiens, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 34. 2. t. 15. f. 1 $ . 2 $ .
Apis pallicincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 295. 67 ? .
Apis fodiens, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 444. 7 ?
Colletes fodiens, Smith, Zool. iv. 1277. 2.
Lucas, Explo. Sc.Alge'r. iii. 182. 90 ?
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 5
Female. Length 4-4| lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
face griseous, that on the vertex, and on the thorax above, is
fulvous ; on the cheeks and thorax beneath it is nearly white, as
is also the pubescence on the legs ; the wings hyaline, the ner-
vures dark fuscous ; the abdomen is fuscous, subopake, and
very closely punctured, the base somewhat coarsely so ; all the
segments have entire fasciae of pale fulvous, or rather, ochra-
ceous pubescence ; beneath, the margins have a pale, or white
fringe. B.M.
Male. Length 3^-4 lines. Head and thorax black, the face
densely clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, the disk of the
thorax ochraceous or pale fulvous ; the legs beneath and the
cheeks have a long dense white pubescence. Abdomen fuscous,
very closely and rather strongly punctured throughout ; all the
segments have a pale marginal fascia, which is longer and less
even than in the female ; between the fasciae is a long thin fus-
cous pubescence. B.M.
The sculpture of the abdomen will easily distinguish this
species from C. succincta, with which alone it can be confounded ;
it is less black and shining than the latter. This bee, like the
former species, is generally distributed, but it has hitherto been
much less abundant, and is never found in large colonies. It is
taken at Coomb Wood, also in Kent and Hampshire, and has
been received from Sussex and Killarney ; it is found throughout
June, July and August.
3. Collates marginata.
C. nigra, thorace pallide fulvescente, abdomine segmentis margine
flavido-cinerascentibus.
Apis marginata, Linn. MSS. in Linn&an Cabinet^ $ .
Collates marginata, Smith, Zool. iv. 1277. 3 $ $ .
Colletes succincta, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 206. 1.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the clypeus deeply punctured,
the face having a pale fulvous pubescence, most thinly scat-
tered on the clypeus ; the thorax above has a thin fulvo-ochra-
ceous pubescence, that on the sides and beneath is much paler ;
the legs fusco-ferruginous, and having a thin pale pubescence.
Abdomen slightly shining, delicately punctured, the punctures
most strong on the basal segment, which has at the base a short
pale fulvous pubescence on each side ; all the apical margins of
the segments have a fascia of short pubescence of the same
colour. B.M.
O BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black ; the face densely covered with
very pale ochraceous pubescence ; the thorax clothed as in the
female, but the abdomen is much more strongly punctured, all
the segments having pale marginal fasciae ; the punctures on
the basal segment are deep, but not very close ; beneath, the
segments have a fringe of white pubescence. B.M.
This is the smallest species found in this country. I have
compared British specimens with the Swedish one in the Lin-
naean Cabinet and find them identical ; it was first captured by
Mr. Samuel Stevens at Little Hampton, Sussex, since which it
has been taken in Yorkshire, and also received from Cumber-
land.
4. Collates Daviesana.
C. nigra, pallido-villosula ; abdomine laevi, nitidissimo, punctis
minutis sparsiori.
Melitta Daviesana, Kirby's MSS. ii.
Colletes Daviesana, Smith, Zool. iv. 1278. 4<? ? .
Female. Length 4-4| lines. Black ; the clypeus covered with
cinereous pubescence, becoming gradually fulvous towards the
vertex ; the thorax thinly clothed on the disk with fulvo-ochra-
ceous pubescence, on the sides it is much paler, and beneath
and on the legs nearly or quite white ; the wings hyaline, their
nervures ferruginous. Abdomen smooth and shining, delicately
punctured, most strongly at the base ; all the segments have a
fascia of pale ochraceous pubescence on their apical margins,
the first of which is usually interrupted. B.M.
Male. Length 3^-4 lines. The pubescence on the head and
thorax similar to that of the female ; the flagellum sometimes
nigro-piceous beneath ; the abdomen oblong ovate, shining,
rather more deeply punctured than the female ; the base thinly
clothed with long ochraceous pubescence ; all the segments have
similar fasciae to the female, but the first is frequently obli-
terated, usually more or less so ; beneath, the fasciae curve up-
wards from the lateral margins to the middle of the segment,
but do not meet in the centre. B.M.
The greatest difficulty in this genus is to distinguish the males
from each other ; that of C. marginata is the largest, its abdomen
most convex, and its fasciae the most white and even, with little
or no pubescence between ; in C. fodiens the close puncturing
will serve to distinguish it ; that of C. Daviesana may be detected
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
at once by examining the fasciae on the abdomen beneath ; whilst
the minute size of C. marginata alone will be a sufficient distin-
guishing characteristic.
Genus 2. PROSOPIS, Fabr.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 953 (1766).
Hylams, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 302 (1793).
Sphex, pt., Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 53. 1.
Melitta, pt., Kir&y, Man. Ap. Angl. 134*# (1802).
Prosopis, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 293 (1804).
Head subtriangular, as wide as the thorax ; the stemmata in
a triangle on the vertex ; the maxillary palpi six-jointed, the
labial palpi four-jointed; the superior wings having one marginal
and two submarginal cells, the second submarginal cell slightly
restricted towards the marginal, the first recurrent nervure re-
ceived at the apex of the first submarginal cell, the second at
the apex of the second.
The bees of which the present genus is composed, being desti-
tute of the usual apparatus for collecting pollen, were long re-
garded as belonging to the family of parasites. Some years ago
two of the species were bred from bramble sticks, the larvae
having been exposed and found to be arranged in the same re-
gular order as in the acknowledged industrious, or working
species: this observation was made by Mr. Thwaites in 1841.
Since that time I have repeatedly bred them from a similar nidus.
But all doubt of their habits has been removed by the observa-
tions of Mr. Sidney Saunders, who has bred an Albanian species
in great profusion : they construct their cells in bramble sticks,
which they line in the same manner as Colletes with a thin trans-
parent membrane, calculated for holding semi-liquid honey, which
they store up for their young : the Albanian species were usually
much infested by a Stylops. I had a very interesting nest of one
of these bees given to me : the bee was observed to have chosen
a hollow r piece of flint stone, on breaking which a number of the
silken cocoons were found, some containing perfect bees when
received. Mr. Walcott has in his collection two specimens of
this genus of bees, which have apparently been attacked by a
species of Stylops ; the fact has not been previously observed in
this country, but in the ' Transactions of the Entomological
Society,' vol. i. new ser. p. 58, will be found an interesting ac-
count of a species of Stylops which attacks Prosopis rubicola,
found by Mr. S. Saunders in Albania.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
1. Prosopis communis.
P. atra ; fronte maculata ; tibiis posticis albido annulatis.
Hylaeus annulatus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 305. 12 ? .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 3. .
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 360. 1.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. 463. 1.
Smith, Tram. Ent. Soc. iv. 29. 1 ; Zool. vi. 2202 <? ? .
Melitta annulata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 36. 3 $ ? . 1. 15. f. 3.
Prosopis annulata, /tor. Syst. Piez. 293. 1.
/>m. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 1 12. 3.
AV/and. 4. .Borea/. 187. 1.
Hylaeus communis, Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal. 234.
Female. Length 2-3 lines. Black ; head and thorax finely and
very closely punctured ; the face has on each side of the clypeus
an oblong angulated macula, touching the eyes, sometimes re-
duced to a mere line. Thorax : an interrupted yellow line on
the collar, rarely obliterated ; the tubercles and a spot 0*1 the
tegulae yellow, that on the former sometimes obliterated, that
on the latter rarely so ; the posterior tibiae have a pale yellow
ring at their base, and the extreme base of the anterior and in-
termediate pairs sometimes yellow. Abdomen ovate, smooth
and shining. B.M.
Male. Length H-2f lines. Black; punctured as in the female,
the thorax beneath coarsely so ; the clypeus, a triangular shape
above it, and the face on each side as high as the insertion of
the antennae, yellow ; the sides of the clypeus sometimes black ;
in rare instances a yellow line in front of the scape of the an-
tennae ; the intermediate and posterior tarsi at their base, and
also the posterior tibiae at their base yellow. B.M.
The face of this species is more triangular than that of the
other species, and the yellow markings are of a deeper colour ;
like the rest of the species of this genus they are extremely
partial to the flowers of the wild Mignonette (Reseda odor at a\
on which they are commonly found during the months of June
and July.
The typical specimen of annularis is preserved in the Linnaean
Cabinet, and differs from the present species in several particu-
lars ; it has not yet been found in this country, but it may pro-
bably occur in Scotland.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
2. Prosopis annularis.
P. atra, fronte maculata ; tibiis omnibus flavo annulatis.
Sphex annulata, Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 53. 1 $ .
Melitta annularis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii, 38. 4.
Hylaeus annularis, Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 30. 2 ; Zool. vi.
2202. 3.
Prosopis armillatus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 189. 3.
Female. Lengtlv2-3 lines. Black ; head orbiculate, the clypeus
truncate anteriorly, a yellow or sometimes a fulvous macula below
the insertion of the antennae, not touching the eyes ; the apex
of the nagellum fulvous beneath ; the collar has an interrupted
line, the tubercles and a spot on the tegulae in front, yellow ; all
the tibiae yellow at the base ; the wings hyaline, beautifully
iridescent, their nervures fuscous ; the abdomen very smooth
and shining, the margins of the segments sometimes narrowly
rufo-piceous. B.M.
Male. Length 2 lines. Black, the face below the insertion of
the antennae, the scape in front and a line on the mandibles
white ; the nagellum, except the two basal joints, fulvous be-
neath ; the tegula3 and extreme base of the wings fulvo-testa-
ceous ; wings subhyaline, the nervures ferruginous, the anterior
tibiae fulvous, or sometimes yellow in front, the tarsi rufo-
fuscous ; the posterior tibiae have a broad ring at their base, the
intermediate tibiae more or less yellowish-white at their base ;
the basal joint of the posterior tarsi white ; the abdomen rather
more elongate than in the female. B.M.
Although this species closely resembles the P. communis, still
it is very distinct ; the form of the head alone would serve to
distinguish it ; and it should be observed that the markings are
not yellow, but really cream-coloured. This species occurs near
London., and has been taken in Hampshire ; Mr. S. Stevens met
with it at Arundel, Sussex.
3. Prosopis dilatata.
P. atra, tibiis flavis, nigro annulatis ; antennis scapo patelli-
formi.
Melitta dilatata, Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 39. 5 $ .
Hylaeus dilatatus, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 361. 2.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. t. 273.
Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 31. 4. t. 3. f. 1 ; Zool vi. 2204. 4.
Prosopis dilatata, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 188. 2.
B 5
10 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black ; the face below the insertion of
the antennae and the scape in front cream-coloured ; the man-
dibles are of the same colour in the middle, having their base
black and their apex ferruginous; the scape of the antennae
broadly expanded, subquadrate, concave beneath ; the fiagellum,
except the basal joint, fulvous beneath ; the collar with an in-
terrupted line, and the tubercles and tegulse in front, white ; the
latter are ferruginous behind, as well as the extreme base of the
wings and their nervures ; the wings pale rufo-hyaline ; the
tibiae, tarsi and knees pale yellowish-white ; the anterior and
intermediate tibiae have a black stain behind, and the apical half
of the posterior pair black ; the apical joints of the tarsi pale
ferruginous. The abdomen oblong-ovate, covered with a short
pile, particularly on the apical margins of the segments.
This must be a very local species ; we have not seen more
than half a dozen specimens altogether, and only once met
with it in that richest of all counties in hymenopterous insects,
Hampshire, where a single specimen occurred at Hawley. We
have since repeatedly searched the same locality for it in vain ;
Mr. S. Stevens took it at Arundel. Its female is not known.
4. Prosopis comnta.
P. atra, fronte maculata, tibiis flavo maculatis, clypeo cornuto.
Hylacus cornutus, Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 32. 6. t. 3. f. 4 ;
Zool. vi. 2204. 5 ? .
Hylaeus plantaris, Smith, Trans. Ent, Soc. iv. 32. 7. t. 3. f. 2 ;
'Zool. vi. 2205. 6 $ .
Female. Length 3^ lines. Black ; head rotundate, a stout an-
gular tooth on each side of the clypeus, which has its base raised,
forming an elevation which passes backwards between the an-
tennae ; the flagellum fulvous beneath, except one or two of the
basal joints ; a spot on the tegulae and sometimes an interrupted
line on the collar, white ; the posterior tibiae have a ring at their
base, and the extreme base of the anterior and posterior tibia?
yellowish-white, the claw-joints of the tarsi ferruginous ; the
wings hyaline, their nervures testaceous; abdomen oblong-ovate,
very bright and shining.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black ; the antennae pale yellow, having
a fusco-ferruginous line above; the front above the clypeus
is raised, and the antennae inserted on each side of the promi-
nence ; a spot on the tegulae in front and sometimes an inter-
rupted line on the collar, white ; the wings hyaline, having a
slight fulvous stain and their base yellowish ; the anterior
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 11
tibiae in front, and the intermediate and posterior pairs at their
base, pale yellow ; all the tarsi of that colour, with the claw-
joint ferruginous ; the basal joint of the intermediate tarsi di-
lated in front ; the abdomen elongate-ovate, slightly pubescent
at the apex ; beneath, in the middle of the apical margin of the
second segment is a depression clothed with short fulvous
pubescence.
In the Kirbyan collection is a specimen of this insect without
a name ; but in Mr. Kirby's interleaved copy of his Monograph
it is named cornuta, a name which I had given it before I saw
the MSS. notes. A specimen of each sex was taken on Cove
Common, Hants, but described as distinct species ; since that
time Mr. Douglas gave me some stems of the common Dock,
which were evidently perforated by an hymenopterous insect ;
these produced both sexes from the same stem, and conse-
quently I retain the manuscript name given by Mr. Kirby for
the female of the species.
5. Prosopis punctulatissima.
P. nigra, tibiis flavo annulatis, abdomine segmentis punctulatis-
simis.
Hylaeus punctulatissimus, Smith, Ent. Trans, iv. 33; Zool. vi.
2205. 7.
Female. Length 3 lines. Black ; the head and thorax strongly
and closely punctured ; the inner orbits of the eyes have a broad
yellow stripe as high as the insertion of the antennae ; the
tubercles, a spot on each side of the collar and another in front
of the tegula?, pale yellow ; wings subhy aline, the anterior and
intermediate tibiae at their extreme base and a ring at the base
of the posterior pair, pale yellow ; the abdomen shining and
strongly punctured, and having on each side of its apical margin
a line of white pubescence ; the rest of the abdomen is more
finely punctured, and has a short silvery pile, observable in
certain lights.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black ; the face, and the scape in front
yellow ; the apical half of the flagellum testaceous ; the thorax
punctured as in the female ; a spot on the tegulae, the an-
terior tibiae in front, the intermediate and posterior pairs at
their base, and the basal joint of the posterior tarsi, pale yellow ;
the apical joint fusco-ferruginous. Abdomen oblong-ovate,
shining, closely and distinctly punctured, the margins of the
segments more or less rufo-testaceous.
12 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This species most closely resembles " communis" but is very
distinct ; its coarse puncturing, when compared with that insect,
will serve to distinguish it, and it is also larger. Only once
met with, on a collecting excursion at Birch Wood, Kent;
which, about the years 1839-40, was an excellent locality for
many hymenopterous insects, particularly that side which faces
the west ; but all the old uncultivated land is planted, and many
species are not now to be met with.
6. Prosopis signata.
P. atra, fronte maculata; abdomine segmento primo margine
utrinque albo.
Sphex signata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 2.
Melitta signata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 41. 6^* $ .
Prosopis atrata, Fair. Syst. Piez. 295. 10 ^ .
Hylaeus signatus, Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 30. 3 ; ZooL vi. 2206. 9.
Female. Length 3 lines. Black; the flagellum fulvous beneath ;
the face has on each side an angular yellow stripe, sometimes
only a small spot, not reaching above the insertion of the an-
tennae ; a line on each side of the collar, the tubercles, a spot
on the tegulse in front and the extreme base of the tegulae, yel-
lowish-white ; the tibiae sometimes entirely black, or only one
or more pairs slightly pale at their extreme base ; the anterior
tibiae usually more or less fulvous in front. The abdomen
smooth, shining, and delicately punctured ; the extreme lateral
apical margins of the basal segment have sometimes a little
fringe of white puhescerice. B.M.
Var. /3. The face sometimes entirely black.
Male. Length 3-3^ lines. The face below the insertion of the
antennae white ; the flagellum, except the two basal joints, ful-
vous ; the thorax has a line short scattered white pubescence,
particularly on the sides of the metathorax and beneath ; some-
times a spot on each side of the collar, another on the tubercles
behind, and a minute one on the tegulse in front, white ; the
extreme base of the posterior tarsi and tibiae white ; the anterior
tibiae fulvous in front ; the claws ferruginous. The abdomen
closely and distinctly punctured, more strongly than in the
female, the basal segment having on its apical margin laterally
a short fringe of white pubescence ; the margins of the other
segments slightly pubescent laterally. B.M.
This is the largest British species and easily distinguished.
St. Fargeau is not quoted ; he had so confused an acquaintance
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 13
with this genus, that he regarded all the Kirbyan species as
varieties of one, including even the remarkable P. dilatata.
This is one of the species which has more than once been bred
from bramble sticks ; it is very abundant, and is scattered all over
the country.
7. Prosopis hyalinata.
P. atra, alis hyalinis, tibiis flavo annulatis.
Melitta annulata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 37, var. j3.
Hylaeus hyalinatus, Smith, Trans. Eat. Soc. iv. 33. 9 ; Zool vi.
2206. 8.
Female. Length 2-3 lines. Black; the head elongate as in
" communis ; " the flagellum, except one or two of the basal
joints, fulvous beneath ; the face has on each side an angular
yellow spot touching the eyes, this spot varies in size in different
individuals, and is sometimes almost obsolete ; thorax more ro-
tundate than that of " communis," shorter before the wings, very
evenly punctured ; a line on each side of the collar, the tuber-
cles behind and the tegulae in front, white ; the tibiae white at
their base ; the wings hyaline, splendidly iridescent, the ner-
vures dark fuscous ; abdomen ovate, smooth and shining ; on
the apical margin of the basal segment a little white pubescence,
frequently obliterated. B.M.
Male. Length 2-2 lines. The face yellowish-white ; the fla-
gellum, except two or three basal segments, fulvous beneath ;
the anterior tibiae in front, all the tibiae at their base, and the
tarsi, yellowish-white ; the latter slightly ferruginous beyond
the basal joint; the abdomen smooth and shining, and in
recent specimens having a little white pubescence on each side
on the apical margin of the basal segment; the sides and
apex of the abdomen have a fine white pile observable in certain
lights. B.M.
This species most closely resembles " communis," particularly
the female, but it is quite distinct : the form of the thorax in this
sex is a good specific difference, and the markings are much
whiter than in " communes ; " the male is readily distinguished.
In the month of July this species abounds in Sandown Bay in
really astonishing numbers ; they are found in almost every
flower of the bramble, and amongst a large number captured
not an individual occurred of P. communis P. signata is found
there, but not in such large numbers.
14 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
8. Prosopis varipes.
P. atra, tibiis flavis nigro annulatis ; fronte maculata.
Prosopis varipes, Smith, Cat. Hym. Ins. Brit. Mus. pt. 1. 21. 12.
Female. Length H line. Black ; head and thorax closely punc-
tured, the antennae yellow, the scape beneath black ; a spot on
the clypeus touching the apical margin and a triangular spot
on each side, yellow. Thorax, the collar, tubercles, tegulae in
front, and the basal half of the tibiae, yellow ; the apical joints
of the tarsi fusco-ferruginous ; the metathorax covered with
short white pubescence, except the enclosed portion below the
scutellum, which is deeply rugose. Abdomen short, rounded,
smooth and shining. The spots on the face sometimes quite,
or nearly obsolete. B.M.
Male. Black ; the face below the insertion of the antennae and
their scape in front, pale yellow ; the flagellum fulvous beneath.
Thorax, the collar, tubercles, and tegulae in front, tibiae and
tarsi, bright yellow; a spot on all the tibiae behind and the
apical joints of the tarsi, ferruginous ; wings hyaline, splendidly
iridescent. Abdomen closely and finely punctured. B.M.
This is a rare species ; I never met with it at large, but have
bred it from bramble and rose sticks sent from Bristol : in the
British Museum are specimens from Devonshire.
9. Prosopis variegata.
P. atra, thorace maculate, abdomine rufo, apice fusco ; segmen-
torum marginibus cinereis, tibiis albo annulatis.
Mellinus variegatus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. Supp. 265. 1-2.
Prosopis variegata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 259. 9.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 534. 1.
Lucas, Explo. Sc. Alger. iii. 223. 169.
Prosopis colorata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 89. 14.
Hylaeus variegatus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2202. 1.
Female. Length 2-3 lines. Black ; a cream-coloured line on
each side of the face, nearly extending to the vertex ; a spot or
line of the same colour on the anterior margin of the clypeus ;
the flagellum fulvous beneath, except one or two of its basal
joints. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, and tegulae in front, also a
spot on each side at the base of the scutellum, cream-coloured ;
all the tibiae at their base, the anterior pair in front and the
femora at their extreme apex, cream-coloured ; the apical joints
of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen : the two basal segments fer-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 15
ruginous, and the apical margins of the following rufo-piceous ;
sometimes only the basal segment red, or that, and a portion of
the second red. B.M.
Male. The face, base of the mandibles and scape of the antennae
in front, white ; the tibiae and basal joints of the tarsi white.
Of this beautiful species there is a specimen in the Collec-
tion- of the British Museum, captured by Dr. Leach at Kings-
bridge, Devon; and amongst a number of Hymenoptera pur-
chased of Mr. Pelerin, from the neighbourhood of Bideford,
another specimen occurred ; on these authorities it is believed to
be a British insect ; and when it is borne in mind, that amongst
some hymenopterous insects which Mr. S. Stevens captured in
Devon, a specimen of Nomada armata equally rare and local oc-
curred, it may reasonably be hoped that some day the greater
part, if not all, of the rare Devonshire insects will be found.
Subfamily 2. ACUTILINGUES, Westw.
Genus 3. SPHECODES, Latr.
Sphex, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 941 (1766).
Apis, pt., Christ. Hym. p. 153 (1791).
Nomada, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 345 (1793).
Melitta, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. \. 137*% (1802).
Sphecodes, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 368 (1805).
Dichroa, Germ. Faun. Ins. Europ. fasc. 5.
Head as wide as the thorax, body nearly naked ; the tongue
acute, short, not folded; the labial palpi four-jointed, the first
joint nearly as long as the two following, the apical joint shortest ;
the paraglossae minute; the maxillary palpi six-jointed, the
basal joint short, the second twice its length, the four apical
joints of about equal length, about one-third shorter than the
second joint ; the superior wings having one marginal and three
submarginal cells : the first submarginal about as long as the
two following, the second slightly narrowed towards the mar-
ginal, subquadrate, its inferior margin angulated and receiving
the first recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle. The ocelli
placed in a triangle on the vertex ; the antennae of the males sub-
moniliform. The posterior legs and abdomen of the female
destitute of pollenigerous apparatus.
The bees which are included in this genus have hitherto been
regarded as parasites on those comprised in the genus Halictus,
16 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
and indeed many circumstances tend to support such a supposi-
tion; they are usually found burrowing not only in similar
situations, but forming mixed colonies; the females of both
genera appear some time before the males, and in fact their
economy is alike. St.Fargeau places them amongst his division
of parasites, immediately following his exotic genus Rathymus,
with which they have not the slightest affinity ; their only resem-
blance being in the distribution of the colours, black and red.
The result of my observations leads to the conclusion that no
species of the Andrenida is parasitic. The only apparent sup-
port of the theory of their parasitism, is the absence of the
usual pollenigerous organs ; such however is also the case in
Prosopis, Ceratina, &c. In the year 1849 I discovered a mixed
colony of the Halictus abdominalis, Andrena nigro-cenea, Ha-
lictus morio, Sphecodes subquadratus and Sp. Geoffroyellus ; this
being at a short distance from my house, I had an opportunity
of frequently observing their economy ; my visits to the colony
were frequent, and I made close observations of the proceed-
ings of the bees ; yet notwithstanding, I could not in a single
instance detect the Sphecodes entering the burrows of Halictus ;
those into which the former bee entered were of a smaller dia-
meter than those of Halictus, in fact intermediate in size be-
tween the burrows of H. abdominalis and H. morio too small to
have admitted the female of abdominalis. These proceedings
were observed on several occasions : no males of any of the bees
were to be seen at this time, those of Andrena having disappeared
some time, and those of the Halicti not being developed. On
visiting the colony one cloudy morning, I was much delighted to
observe the head of one of the species of bees at the mouth of
most of the burrows the female Halicti at their own burrows,
and Sphecodes also at their own. The result of my observations
of this colony led me to believe, still more firmly, that Sphecodes
is not a parasite. Since the time when the above observations
were made, I have on several occasions detected Sphecodes
busily engaged in forming her burrow, a fact which I consider
conclusive of the correctness of the opinions above stated.
1; Sphecodes gibbus.
S. aterrimus, abdomine ferrugineo, basi apiceque nigris ; alis ni-
gricantibus.
Sphex gibba, Linn. Faun. Suec. 413. 1658 ; Syst. Nat. i. 946. 33,
Sf Cad. Mus. Linn. Soc. $ .
Nomada gibba, Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 63. 816.
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 212. 59.
Apis rufa, Christ. Hym. 201. 1. 17. f. 12 ? .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 1?
Melitta sphecoides, Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 46. 9 $ .
Melitta monilicornis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 47. 10. t. 15. f. 6 $ .
Melitta picea, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 48. 81 $ , var.
Sphecodes piceus, Wesm. Obs.
Sphecodes gibbus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 193. 2.
Sphecodes sphecoides, Smith, Zool. iii. 1013. f . 3 $ & 4 <j? .
Female. Length 4-4 lines. Head and thorax black, the head
a little wider than the thorax, strongly and closely punctured,
the clypeus very coarsely so ; the thorax smooth, shining, and
having scattered deep punctures ; the base of the metathorax
coarsely rugose; the tegulse rufo-piceous at their outer margins,
the nervures fusco-ferruginous, the stigma ferruginous, the
wings fuscous, their apical margins having a darker cloud.
Abdomen shining red, the first segment more or less black
at its base, the three apical segments black, sometimes the
apical margin of the second segment black ; this sex, in rare
instances, has the legs red. B.M.
Var. a. The abdomen with the apex only slightly fuscous.
Male. Length 3-4 lines. Black, the head rather wider than
the thorax, the face covered with silvery-white pubescence ; the
antennae as long as the head and thorax, submoniliform ; thorax
and wings as in the female ; the second, third, arid basal margin
of the first segment red; the apical margin of the second
usually more or less black ; or the second and third segments
having each a central black band, sometimes only one of these
bands present. The metathorax coarsely rugose, not having
a distinctly enclosed space at its base. B.M.
After a careful examination of the type specimen in the
Linna3an Cabinet, this appears to be the true Sphex gibba of
Linnaeus ; it is very distinct from the Nomada gibba of Fabricius,
although closely resembling it. The Sphex gibba of Linnaeus has
been mistaken for an insect belonging to the fossorial Hymeno-
ptera ; Scopoli appears to have led the way, and all subsequent
authors have followed him ; Kirby distinctly says in his 'Mono-
graphia' that Linnseus's insect is synonymous with his Melitta
sphecoides, but the observation has been overlooked hitherto :
the first describer of the Pompilus (Sphex) gibbus of authors is
Scopoli.
2. Sphecodes mfescens.
5. ater, abdomine ferrugineo, apice nigro.
Apis rufescens, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 447. 17.
Apis gibba, Christ. Hym. p. 183. t. 15. f. 3.
Nomada gibba, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 348. 12 ? , &f Cab. Mus. Dom.
Banks.
18 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Melitta gibba, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Artgl. ii. 42. 7.
Sphecodes gibba, Lair. Hist. Nat. xiii. 368.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 542. 3. t. 24. f. 1 ? , f. 2 <? .
Smith, ZooL iii. 1012. 1.
Sphecodes pellucidus, Smith. ZooL iii. 1014. 3 $ $ (var. ?)
De Geer, ii. 7^ 55. t. 32. f. 6. Proabeille noire et rousse.
Female. Length 4-4 lines. Head and thorax black and
shining, closely and finely punctured; head about the same
width as the thorax, the flagellum testaceous beneath, the
face having a scattered short griseous pubescence ; the disc
of the thorax not so closely punctured as the head, the meta-
thorax having at its base a semicircular rugose enclosed space ;
wings fusco-hyaline, the nervures black, the anterior tibia?
slightly ferruginous in front ; the apical joints of the tarsi fer-
ruginous ; the abdomen shining, delicately punctured, the sixth
segment and apical margin of the fifth black. B.M.
Male. Length 3-3f lines. Coloured as in the female, differing
only in having the base of the abdomen more or less black, in
rare instances the apex only black ; the face clothed with white
pubescence ; the wings clearer than in the female ; the antennae
not so long as the head and thorax, slightly submoniliform. B.M.
This species is equally abundant with the preceding and is
found in great numbers in the autumn, frequenting various
flowers, but particularly thistle-heads ; it is readily distinguished
from the S. gibbus by its having its thorax much more finely
punctured, and by the colour of its wings ; its head is not propor-
tionally so wide, and the antennae of its males are shorter.
3. Sphecodes subquadratus.
S. ater, capite magno subquadrato, abdomine ferrugineo, apice
nigro.
Sphecodes gibbus, Wesm. Obs.
Sphecodes subquadratus, Smithy ZooL iii. 1014. 5. f. 5.
Female. Length 4-4% lines. Head and thorax black, the
former'subquadrate, closely and finely punctured; thorax spa-
ringly punctured on the disc ; the wings subhyaline towards
their base, their apical margins having a fuscous cloud ; the
apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous ; the abdomen red, having
the apical segments black. B.M.
Male. Length 3-3| lines. Coloured as in the female, but much
more closely punctured on the disc of the thorax; the head
slightly but not so decidedly subquadrate as in the female; the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 19
wings hyaline, very faintly clouded at their apical margins; the
antennae submoniliform ; abdomen red, black both at the base
and apex. B.M.
I had the good fortune to discover a colony of this insect, and
by watching it until the time when the males usually appear, at
length succeeded, in the month of August, in capturing both
sexes in the nest ; the females are readily distinguished by their
subquadrate heads from all the other species : the males are not
so easily distinguished ; they most closely resemble those of S.
gibbus, but their heads are not wider than the thorax, the an-
tennae proportionably shorter, and the wings are not fuscous as
in that species.
This local insect has been found at Charlton in Kent, at Cam-
berwell, and in Yorkshire ; but it is a rare species, and seldom
met with.
4. Sphecodes ephippia.
S. ater, abdomine rufo, apice pedibusque nigro-piceis ; mandi-
bulis, tarsis, tibiisque anticis, rufescentibus.
Sphex ephippia, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 944. 22, fide Cab. Mus. Linn.
Soc. $ .
Andrena Potentilla, Faun. Germ. 46. 14.
Melitta divisa, Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 49. \2$ .
Melitta Geoffrella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 45. 8 $ , 1. 15. f. 5 $ .
Sphecodes Geoffrellus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 544. 4.
Wesm. Obs. p. 7. 3.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 194. 3.
Smith, Zool. iii. 1014. 5<? ?.
Sphecodes divisus, Smith, Zool. iii. 1015. 6 $ $ .
Apis nigra, abdoraine rufo nitida, incisuris nigris, Geoff. Ins.
Par. <J.
Female. Length 2^-3 lines. Head and thorax black, shining,
delicately punctured, closely so on the head, but scattered on
the disc of the thorax ; the flagellum, except a few of the basal
joints, fulvous beneath ; the wings subhyaline, splendidly iri-
descent, the nervures and tegulae rufo-testaceous ; the legs
fusco-ferruginous, the knees and the tarsi pale ferruginous.
Male. Length 1 2 lines. This sex is coloured the same as
the female, but is more strongly punctured on the head and
thorax ; the antennae submoniliform, the flagellum fulvous be-
neath ; the abdomen more or less black at the base and apex,
having sometimes an immaculate red space between, or one or
two transverse black fasciae.
20 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
The size alone would serve to distinguish this little bee from
its congeners, but it is subject to very considerable variety; the
female has sometimes the extreme base, as well as the apex of
the abdomen black, and the head occasionally subquadrate ; the
legs are sometimes nearly black. The males vary much in the
degree of colouring in the legs, specimens occur with them pale
testaceous-red ; the abdomen also varies much in its markings :
I formerly considered it to constitute two species, but I have
satisfied myself since that it is only a variable insect. In the
Linnsean Cabinet is the authentic specimen of the Sphex ephippia
of Linnaeus, one of the varieties of this insect. The M. divisa
of Kirby is a dark example of the male, having the antennae
black, but they are usually more or less fulvous beneath ;
but in truth it is almost impossible to decide whether the latter
variety be not in reality a very minute male of S. gibbus : many
of the Kirbyan specimens preserved in the Entomological So-
ciety's Museum are now in a very decayed condition.
5. Sphecodes fuscipennis.
S. ater, abdomine ferrugineo, alis nigricantibus.
Dichroa fuscipennis, Germ. Faun. Ins. Europ. fasc. 5. t. 18.
Sphecodes Latreillii, Wesm. Obs.
Sphecodes nigripes, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 542. 2.
Lucas, Explo. Sc. Alger. iii. 222. 168.
Sphecodes rugosa, Smithy Zool. vi. 2208.
Apis rufa, Sulz. Hist. Ins. 198. t. 27. f. 14 ?
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Head and thorax black, strongly
and closely punctured, the face thinly covered with griseous
pubescence ; the vertex and thorax have a little scattered black
pubescence ; the abdomen red, the apex nigro-piceous ; the
legs black, their pubescence black ; the wings dark fuscous and
having a violet iridescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4^-5 lines. Black, the head a little wider than
the thorax, the face densely clothed with silvery-white pubes-
cence ; the antennae submoniliform ; the thorax coarsely punc-
tured, the metathorax rugose ; the wings subfuscous, their
apical margins clouded, their nervures ferruginous ; the legs
have a silvery pubescence, the apical joints of the tarsi fer-
ruginous. Abdomen red, strongly punctured, the apical margins
of the segments smooth and shining. B.M.
This species is included in the British Bees, on the following
authorities : there are two specimens in the British Collection
at the British Museum, said to have been captured by Dr. Leach
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 21
at Kingsbridge, Devon ; two specimens were found amongst a
collection of British insects taken at and near Bideford in
Devonshire ; it is common in many parts of the South of France,
but does not apparently occur near Paris, nor is it, I believe,
found in Germany.
Genus 4. HALICTUS, Latr.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 953 (1766).
Hylseus, pt., Fair. St/st. Ent. ii. 302 (1793).
Melitta, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. i. 138*** (1802).
Prosopis, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 293 (1804).
Megilla, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 328 (1804).
Halictus, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 364 (1805).
Lasioglossum, Curtis, Brit. Ent. x. 418 (1834).
Head subtriangular, not wider than the thorax, the stemmata
placed in a curve on the vertex ; maxillary palpi six-jointed, the
basal joint longest, each joint decreasing in length to the apical
one ; the labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint longest, as long
as the two following joints, the three apical joints of about equal
length ; the mentum conical, its apex bidentate or emarginate ;
the labium lanceolate, acute; the paraglossae about two-thirds
of the length of the labium ; the labrum of the females having
an appendage on its anterior margin, that of the male simple
and transverse. The superior wings having one marginal cell,
gradually narrowed towards the apex ; three marginal cells, the
first nearly as long as the two following united ; the second
subquadrate, rather broader than long, receiving the first re-
current nervure towards its apex, sometimes uniting with the
second transverse cubital nervure ; the third restricted towards
the marginal. Thorax ovate, the posterior tibise having a dense
scopa, the interior calcar at the apex of the tibiae serrated. Ab-
domen subovate in the females, and having a longitudinal rima
on the apical segment. The males have their antennae longer
than in the females, sometimes as long as the body ; their face
elongate, the clypeus being usually produced, and more or less
yellow at its apex ; their abdomen is usually cylindric and elon-
gate.
The economy of this genus of Andrenida does not appear to
have been ascertained previous to my own observations being
published in the year 1850 : it is so remarkably different to that
22 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
of all other solitary bees, except of those belonging to the genus
Sphecodes, that I am surprised it had escaped the researches of
my predecessors who, like myself, " have loved to hear the wild
bee's hum." It will be observed that the females of Halictus
and Sphecodes make their appearance in June, and are to be
found from that time until late in the autumn ; but no males of
these genera will be observed until long after the appearance of
the females; my observations on a colony of H.morio will serve
as the history of the whole genus, making allowance for the dif-
ferent periods of their appearance. " Early in April the females
appeared, and continued in numbers up to the end of June ; not
a single male was to be found at any time : during the month of
July scarcely an individual could be found, a solitary female now
and then might be seen, but the spring bees had almost disap-
peared ; about the middle of August the males began to come
forth, and by the end of the month abounded ; the females
succeeded the males in their appearance about ten or twelve
days : these industrious creatures immediately began the tasks
assigned to them, burrowing and forming their nests ; one of
their little tunnels had usually others running into it, so that
a single common entrance served as a passage to several cells,
in each of which a little ball of pollen was formed and a single
egg deposited thereon; the Iarva3 were usually ten or twelve
days consuming it, by which time they were fully fed ; in this
state they lie until they changed to the pupa3 state, when they
very shortly became matured." I have reared individuals of
H. rubicundus from the egg to the perfect insect ; on the 15th
of July I procured cells containing the pollen balls with an egg
on each ; in twelve days the larvae were full fed ; the change to
the pupa state took place about the 25th of August, and
during the first week of September the perfect state was ac-
quired. The history of Halictus, therefore, is as follows : the
males and females appear in the autumn; the latter being im-
pregnated pass the winter in the perfect state, appearing during
the following season to perform their economy, as detailed above
in the case of H. mono. This is the result of my present obser-
vations, and I believe it to be the true history of Halictus as
well as of Sphecodes. Humble Bees and Wasps pass the winter
months in a torpid state, having been impregnated during the
previous autumn, but amongst solitary bees I know no other
genera besides Halictus and Sphecodes which resemble them in
this respect.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 23
Div. I. Abdomen of the females having white abdominal fascia,
usually more or less interrupted ; the first recurrent nervure
received towards the apex of the second marginal cell.
1. Halictns rubicundus.
H. ater, mfescenti-pubescens ; abdomine segmentis margine
albis ; tarsis tibiisque posticis fulvis.
Apis rubicundus, Christ. Hym. p. 190. t. 16. f. 10 9 .
Apis flavipes, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 17 $ .
Melitta rubicurida, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 53. 14.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. x. t. 449.
Halictus nidulans, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 269. 5.
Halictus rubicundus, Kirby, Faun. Boreal. Amer. p. 267. 1 ?
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 198. 2.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2041. 2.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; tbe face clothed with short
thin pale fulvous pubescence ; the labrum bearded with golden-
yellow hairs ; the flagellum slightly nigro-piceous beneath at
its apex. Thorax : the disk clothed with fulvo-ferruginous pu-
bescence, on the sides and metathorax it is paler ; the tegulae
ferruginous, the wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their
apical margins,, the nervures testaceous ; the apical joints of
the anterior tarsi., the intermediate pair, as well as the tibiae
above, and the posterior tibiae and tarsi, fulvous ; their pubes-
cence of a golden-yellow; the basal joint of the posterior tarsi
has a fuscous stain outside. Abdomen ovate, smooth and
shining, having a little pale fulvous pubescence at the base ; all
the segments have a narrow white fascia on their apical margins,
the first and second usually interrupted. B.M.
Male. The apex of the clypeus and the labrum yellow ; the an-
tenna? about the length of the head and thorax, fusco-ferrugi-
nous beneath ; the face has a little griseous pubescence, that on
the vertex and disk of the thorax is faintly yellowish ; the tibiae
and tarsi yellow, the former having a dark stain beneath. Ab-
domen elongate, the first four segments having a narrow white
fascia on their apical margins, the first three interrupted. B.M.
This is probably the most widely distributed species of the
genus ; it is found in every part of the United Kingdom, and is
scattered throughout Europe. The specimens from North America
very closely resemble our insect, but are scarcely identical ; they
have the abdomen more closely punctured ; Mr. Kirby considered
them the same ; the species is described by Say as H. parallelus ;
if distinct, the similarity is very striking.
24 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
2. Halictus xanthopus.
H. niger, rufo-pubescens ; thorace ferrugineo ; abdomine seg-
mentis utrinque basi pallidis; pedibus posticis fulvis.
Melitta xanthopus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 78. 34 $ <j> .
Lasioglossum tricingulum, Cur tin, Brit. Ent. x. t. 14 $ .
Halictus xanthopus, Brufle, Exped. Moree, Hi. 349. 769.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 273. 10.
Smith, Zool.vL 2173. 25.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 238. 3/
Female. Length 5-5 lines. Black ; the clypeus produced and
shining, the tips of the mandibles ferruginous ; the disk of the
thorax sparingly clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence, most
dense on the post-scutellum and in front of the wings ; the disk
shining, evenly punctured ; the tegulse rufo-piceous ; the wings
faintly fulvo -hyaline, slightly clouded at their apical margins,
the nervures pale ferruginous; the legs have a rufo-fulvous
pubescence ; the posterior tibiae and tarsi, the intermediate
tarsi, and the apical joints of the anterior pair, rufo-testaceous.
Abdomen ovate, shining and delicately punctured ; at the base
a little fulvous pubescence ; on the basal margins of the second,
third and fourth segments is a fascia of white pubescence, the
first and second fasciae usually much attenuated or interrupted
in the middle ; on the sides of the anal rima a little fulvous
pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4^-5 lines. The nose produced as in the other
sex, the clypeus having occasionally an obscure yellow spot ;
the antennae rufo-testaceous beneath. Thorax : its pubescence
very thin and usually griseous, but slightly fulvous on the disk
in very recent specimens ; the wings as in the female ; the legs
also are similarly coloured ; the abdomen elongate -ovate, the
bands as in the other sex, but having an additional one on the
fifth segment ; the apex fringed with some pale yellowish pu-
bescence. B.M.
This species has been quoted by Walckenaer as the H.fodiens
of Latreille, but the abdominal fasciae are placed on the basal
margins of the segments, whereas Walckenaer's insect has them
on the apical margins. The male is the Lasioglossum tricingu-
lum of Mr. Curtis ; the peculiarities in the form of the maxillary
lobes, in which it differs from many of the British species, can-
not be regarded as of generic value. An examination of a number
of species of exotic Halicti, shows that many, and gradual modi-
fications of parts, must be admitted, or this extensive genus
would be split into multitudinous subgenera ; at present I prefer
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 25
separating them into sections : in the last division of the British
species are placed such species as have the first recurrent nervure
uniting with the second transverse- cubital nervure.
This species is local, and appears to prefer situations on the
coast : it is met with plentifully at Brighton, and Ventnor in
the Isle of Wight, and has been received from Arundel, Little
Hampton, and Hastings.
3. Halietus leucozonius.
H. ater, cinereo-pubescens, abdominis segmentis intermediis basi
albis. Mas, naso porrecto, apice albo.
Apis leucozonia, Schranfc, Ins. Aust.p. 406. 319 $ .
Rossi, Mantis, p. 319.
Melitta leucozonia, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 76. 33 <J $ .
Halietus leucozonius, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 275. 13.
Smith, Zool.vi. 2171. 21.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 119. 3 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 240. 8.
Female. Length 4-4 lines. Jet-black; the clypeus produced,
the face on each side has a little cinereous pubescence, the
mandibles ferruginous at their apex. Thorax thinly clothed on
the disk with pale fulvous pubescence, the metathorax rugose,
and having a sub defined space at the base longitudinally ru-
gose ; the tegulae dark rufo-piceous ; the wings hyaline, beau-
tifully iridescent, the nervures ferruginous ; the legs have a
cinereous pubescence, the posterior pair having their scopa?
slightly fulvescent ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous.
Abdomen subovate, shining, closely and finely punctured, the
second, third and fourth segments have on their basal margins
a band of short snow-white pubescence, the first band usually in-
terrupted -, the apex has a little pale fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3-3| lines. Black ; the face clothed with white
pubescence, the apex of the clypeus white, the mandibles fer-
ruginous at their tips ; the thorax punctured as in the female ;
the wings clear hyaline and splendidly iridescent; the basal
joint of the four posterior tarsi white, covered with a white
glittering pubescence, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen oblong-
ovate, convex above, uniformly punctured and having a thinly-
scattered cinereous pubescence, the second and third segments
have usually on each side on their basal margins a patch of
white pubescence ; these are frequently obliterated. B.M.
This is a very abundant species, and is found in most parts of
the country ; in the month of August this bee occurs in
c
26 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
profusion, and males are sometimes taken as late as the 2/th of
October : it is very plentiful in the London district.
4. Halictus zonulus,
H. ater, pallide rufo-pubescens ; abdominis segmentis basi laevi-
bus. Mas, pedibus posticis totis nigris.
Halictus zonulus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2171. 22 $ $ .
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 241. 9.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Jet-black ; clypeus moderately
produced, ciliated with -pale fulvous pubescence, the face has a
thinly scattered ochraceous pubescence; the thorax strongly
and closely punctured, the metathorax rugose ; the tegula;
nigro-piceous ; the wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their
apical margins, the nervures ferruginous; the pubescence on
the thorax and legs fulvous, brightest on the tarsi and posterior
tibiae. Abdomen subovate, shining, the base impunctate, other-
wise finely punctured ; the second and third segments have on
each side a little short white pubescence on their basal margins,
the fourth sometimes has an indistinct narrow white band ; the
extreme apex pale fulvous.
Male. Length 3J-4 lines. Black ; the face clothed with short
white pubescence ; the clypeus scarcely produced, having a
transverse white spot at the apex, sometimes obliterated ; the
thorax has a thin pale ochraceous pubescence ; the wings as in
the female; legs black, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
oblong-ovate, otherwise as in the female. B.M.
This species very closely resembles leucozonius, but the ab-
domen is less pubescent and more finely punctured, the base
being impunctate ; the male is distinguished by its black legs
and less produced nasus, which is frequently black ; the insect
is also larger.
This bee is found on Plumstead Common in August, and has
been received from Bristol and Scotland. Dr. Nylander says it
occurs both in Denmark and Sweden.
5. Halictus quadricinctus.
H. ater ; cinereo-subpubescens ; abdomine convexo, segmentis
margine albis ; pedibus anoque pallido-villosis.
Hylaeus quadricinctus, Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 303. 3 ; Syst. Piez. 319.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 2?
Melitta quadricincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 303. 3.
Halictus quadricinctus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2040. 1,
Nyland. Ap. Boreal 198. 1.
Halictus sexcinctus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 268. 4.
Female. Length 4-j lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
pale yellow pubescence, the labrum has a beard of the same
colour, the flagellum piceous beneath ; the thorax thickly punc-
tured, a thinly scattered ochraceous pubescence on the disk ;
the sides, the metathorax and beneath more thickly clothed
with pubescence of a lighter colour ; the tegulse piceous ; the
wings subhyaline, the nervures testaceous ; the legs nigro-
piceous, their pubescence pale ochraceous, the tarsi pale ferru-
ginous. Abdomen fuscous, convex, ovate and shining, finelv
and closely punctured ; the apical margins of all the segments
have a narrow white fascia, the first usually interrupted ; at the
apex a little pale ochraceous pubescence, the anal rima slightly
ferruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. The face clothed with white pubes-
cence, the apex of the clypeus yellow. The mandibles very
much dilated at their base ; the antennae fulvous, as long as
the head and thorax, slightly fuscous toward their base above,
the apical joints pellucid; the tegulse testaceous; the wings
hyaline ; the posterior femora, except at their apex, the inter-
mediate and anterior pairs behind, nigro-piceous ; otherwise
pale fulvo-testaceous. Abdomen elongate, shining and closely
punctured ; all the apical margins of the segments have narrow
white marginal fasciae, the two first sometimes interrupted ; the
two apical segments concave beneath. B.M.
It admits of considerable doubt whether this insect is synony-
mous with that of Fabricius, who makes no mention of the yellow
nasus, or dilated mandibles ; in fact, his description would suit
three or four European species. Specimens have been received
from the continent, under the names of sexcinctus of St. Fargeau.
and nidulans of Walckenaer. Mr. Kirby, on the authority of
Dr. Latham, quotes this bee as a species of the London district,
but as no one has met with it since, there is probably some
mistake. Mr. Dale took the female in the Isle of Portland some
years ago, with the exception of which, not a single specimen of
either sex has been taken for many years. In Mr. Kirby 's.
interleaved copy of the i Monographia ' is a note, " Mas : lectus
a me in floribus Agerati apud Blakenham Parvum." (September
7th.)
This species occurs in North America : there are two examples
of the male in the British Museum, which appear to be idyntical
c2
28 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
with the British species. It is quite probable that the sexes
are not correctly united. Mr. Kirb)- placed them together on
no authority of observation.
6. Halictus sexnotatus. *
H. aterrimus; pube incana; abdominis segmentis tribus inter-
mediis basi utrinque niveo-albis.
Melitta sexnotata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 82. 37. t. 15. f. 7, 8.
Halictus sexnotatus, WalcJcen. Mem. Halict. p. 72.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 273. 11.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2174. 26.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 239. 5.
Female. Length 5 lines. Jet*black ; the face has a little
scattered white pubescence ; the thorax very closely and finely
punctured, and having a thin scattered pale pubescence ; the
wings subhyaline, their apical margins clouded, the nervures
nigro-piceous ; the scopse on the posterior tibiae are slightly
fuscous above, the tarsi beneath pale yellow. Abdomen glossy
and very delicately punctured, the base has a little white pubes-
cence, an angular patch of short snow-white pubescence on
each side of the basal margins of the second, third and fourth
segments, those on the fourth segment frequently obliterated ;
beneath, the margins of the segments have a thin fringe of
long white pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. The pubescence as in the female; an-
tennae shorter than the thorax, the flagellum nigro-piceous
beneath ; the face covered with short white pubescence, the
clypeus having a white spot at its apex. Abdomen oblong,
spotted as in the other sex. B.M.
This is a species hitherto rare in cabinets. Mr. Kirby took it
at Barham ; the only locality where it has been recently met
with is Weybridge : the female occurs there in June and Septem-
ber, in the lane leading to Byfieet, opposite the wood, about
half a mile from the railway station ; the male occurs in Sep-
tember : specimens have been captured at Portsmouth. This is
the most beautiful species hitherto found in this country, and the
exact locality is therefore pointed out.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 29
7. Halictus 4-notatus.
H. ater; cinereo-subpubescens ; abdominis segmentis duobus
intermediis basi utrinque albis.
Melitta quadrinotata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 79. 35.
Halictus quadrinotatus, Brulle, Exp. de Moree, iii. 350. 773.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2173. 24.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 240. 6.
Female. Length 3-3i lines. Black; head and thorax having
a thin cinereous pubescence, closely and rather strongly punc-
tured ; the clypeus produced, shining, and having a few large
punctures. Thorax : the tegulae nigro-piceous ; the wings sub-
hyaline and iridescent, their nervures testaceous ; the legs have
a cinereous pubescence, that on the tarsi beneath fulvous.
Abdomen ovate, shining, finely punctured, distantly so on the
basal segment ; the margins of the two basal segments slightly
constricted ; on the basal margins of the second and third seg-
ments laterally a little white pubescence; towards the apex
covered with a short pale downy pubescence, the anal rima fer-
ruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 2^-3 lines. The antennae scarcely as long as the
thorax ; the face has a short hoary pubescence, the apex of the
clypeus and the labrum white ; the mandibles ferruginous at
their tips ; the wings hyaline, beautifully iridescent, their ner-
vures testaceous ; all the tibiae at their extreme base and apex,
and the tarsi, yellowish-white, the claws ferruginous. B.M.
This is a generally distributed species : it is plentiful in the
London district, also in the Isle of Wight, and has been received
from Wales and Scotland : it is sometimes infested by a Stylops.
8. Halictus maculatus.
H. ater ; capite vertice crasso, subquadrato ; lateribus segmen-
torum 1-4 utrinque strigis pilosis albis.
Halictus mterruptus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 270. 6 ? (not of Panzer).
Halictus maculatus, Smith, Zool. vi.2172. 23.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 241. 11.
Female. Length 3-3| lines. Black; the face thinly clothed
with pale ochraceous pubescence, the clypeus coarsely punc-
tured and slightly produced ; the flagellum towards the apex
nigro-piceous. Thorax : the pubescence on the disk sparing and
pale ochraceous ; the tegulse piceous ; the wings fusco-hyaline,
30 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
the nervures ferruginous; the pubescence on the tarsi and
posterior tibiae pale fulvous ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferru-
ginous. Abdomen oblong-ovate, shining, and very delicately
punctured ; on the apical margins of the segments laterally a
short line of snow-white pubescence, the first frequently ob-
literated.
This very distinct and pretty little bee has only been twice
captured ; it occurred on Hawley Green, Hants : at first sight, it
has a very close resemblance to Osmia leucomelana : the male has
not been taken in England. St. Fargeau's insect is probably
not identical with this, as he does not mention the remarkable
subquadrate head ; the male has the flagellum fulvous beneath,
the margin of the clypeous yellow, and all the tarsi and tibia?
testaceous, the latter fuscous at their base ; the fifth and sixth
segments of the abdomen having similar spots to the female-
9. Halictus cylindricus.
H. niger, rufescenti-pubescens ; abdominis segmentis marginibus
fulvis, intermediis basi utrinque pallidis. Mas, abdominis
segmentis anticis runs, macula media punctisque lateralibus
nigris.
Hylaeus cylindricus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 302. 1 <J ; Syst. Piez.
319. 10.
Hylaeus abdominalis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 18 < .
Melitta abdominalis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 73. 30 $ .
Melitta fulvooincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 68. 28 , & var. <? a,
ftr-
Melitta malachura, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 67. 26 ^ (var.).
Andrena vulpina, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 326. 19 .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 97. 18.
Halictus terebrator, Walcken. Mem. Halict. p. 72 <? $ .
Halictus vulpinus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 276. 15.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 185. 96.
Halictus fulvocinctus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 199. 4.
Halictus abdominalis, Smith, Zool. vi. 2106. 15 $ ? .
Female. Length 44-g- lines. Black ; head and thorax closely
punctured, the face thinly clothed with short fulvous pubescence";
the disk of the thorax is similarly clothed, more densely at the
sides ; the metathorax rugose, posteriorly truncate ; the enclosed
portion at its base has a sharp ridge behind ; the wings sub-
hyaline, their apical margins slightly clouded, the nervures fer-
ruginous ; the tegulae piceous ; the pubescence on the legs rufo-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 31
fulvous, the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous, and their pu-
bescence beneath ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, shining and
delicately punctured, the margins of the segments pale fulvo-
testaceous and densely ciliated with fulvous pubescence ; at the
base of the second and third segments laterally, a line of white
pubescence, that on the apex fulvous. B.M.
Male. Length 3^-4| lines. Head and thorax black ; on each
side of the clypeus the face is covered with short white pubes-
cence, above it is pale fulvous ; the nose produced, the apex of
the clypeus yellow, the mandibles ferruginous at their apex,
sometimes having a yellow spot about the middle, the antennae
nearly as long as the thorax. Thorax : the disk thinly clothed
with pale fulvous pubescence ; the tegulae rufo-piceous and
having a yellow spot in front, the wings hyaline, iridescent and
faintly clouded at their apical margins ; the four posterior tibiae
at their base and apex, and a line on the anterior pair above,
yellow; all the tarsi yellow, their apical joints ferruginous.
Abdomen oblong-ovate ; the three basal segments red, the
apical ones black, the extreme base of the first segment and the
apical margin of the third black ; at the extreme margins of the
second and third segments a black dot, and on the basal margins
of each laterally, a line of white pubescence. B.M.
Var. a. A black spot in the centre of the second and third seg-
ments.
Var. /3. A broad fuscous transverse stain on the second and third
segments, leaving only the margins red.
Var. y. The apical margins alone red, faintly so in the middle.
The Melitta malachura of Kirby is probably a variety of the
female, having the abdominal fasciae rubbed off. Mr. Kirby,
subsequently to the publication of his work, was of the same
opinion, as appears by a note in his own copy of the 'Mono-
graphia,'
The Hylceus cylindricus of Fabricius is the male, and the oldest
name for the species. Mr. Kirby made a distinct species of the
male of the description, considering the dark varieties only as
the male ; but the sexes have on more occasions than one been
observed " in coitu." All these varieties belong to one species,
and minuter ones might be pointed out, but that will be better
done by personal observation of the insects themselves ; hundreds
of the males may be captured on fine autumnal days, on the
Ragwort ; the species is universally distributed, and has been re-
ceived from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
J^ BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
10. Halictus albipes.
H. ater, glabriusculus ; abdomine nitidissimo, obovato, segmentis
basi albis. Mas, abdominis segmentis intermediis rufis, punc-
tisque lateralibus nigris, labro clypeique apice pallide luteis.
Apis albipes, Fabr. Mant. Ins. i. 306. 92 $ .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 7. 15.
Hylaeus albipes, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 306. 13.
Melitta albipes, Kirby, Mon. Ap.Angl. ii. 71. 29.
Melitta ohovata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 75. 31 $ .
Prosopis albipes, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 294. 4 $ .
Halictus albipes, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 287. 31 ^ .
Smithy Zool. vi. 2167. 17 $ ? .
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
short griseous pubescence, the flagellum piceous beneath.
Thorax : very thinly clothed with very pale ochraceous pubes-
cence on the disk, on the sides and beneath it is griseous ; the
tegulae piceous; the wings fulvo-hy aline, the nervures testaceous;
the metathorax truncate posteriorly, the basal portion not en-
closed, but rugose-striate ; beyond, slightly roughened ; the
tibiae and tarsi have a pale fulvous pubescence, on the latter
beneath it is bright fulvous, the apical joints of the tarsi ferru-
ginous. Abdomen ovate, very smooth and shining at the base
and in the middle of the segments, the sides, and towards the
apex, covered with a short pale fulvous pubescence ; at the base
of the second, third and fourth segments a thin fascia of white
or very pale pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3i-4 lines. The face covered with short white
pubescence, the clypeus at its apex and the labrum and man-
dibles yellow, the latter black at the base and ferruginous at
their apex. Thorax : the tubercles and tegulae pale yellow in
front ; the wings hyaline, splendidly iridescent, the nervures fer-
ruginous ; the femora at their apex, the tibiae at their base
and apex, and the tarsi yellowish-white, the claws ferruginous.
Abdomen elongate, widest towards the apex, the three basal
segments red ; the base and a quadrate patch nearly reaching
the apical margin of the first segment, a short transverse patch
on the apical margin of the second segment, and a similar one
on the third, black ; beneath, red towards the base ; a black
dot at the extreme lateral margins of the second and third seg-
ments. B.M.
Var. a. The sides and apical margins only red.
Var. )3. The apical margin only of the basal segment red, the
two following as in var. a.
BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN. 33
The male assigned to this species by Mr. Kirby in the Appen-
dix to the ( Monographia/ does not belong to it.
This species is difficult to separate from H . cylindricus : the
female differs, first, in being much smaller, and in having the
metathorax somewhat differently sculptured : in H. cylindricus
the enclosed portion at the base has a ridge behind, which is not
the case in H. albipes. The male of albipes may be known by
its yellow labruni and mandibles.
This species is not so abundant as H. cylindricus, but is widely
distributed ; it has been met with in Yorkshire, and is numerous
in the London district. Mr. Wollaston brought it from Kil-
larney.
11. Halictus prasinus.
H. capite thoraceque nigro-aeneis, abdomine atro, segmentis
marginibus albis.
Female. Length 4J lines. Head nigro-seneous, the face thinly
clothed with griseous pubescence, the clypeus much produced
and having a few large punctures ; the mandibles ferruginous
at their apex. Thorax nigro-aeneous, finely and very closely
punctured ; the tegulse pale testaceous ; the wings fulvo-hyaline,
the nervures ferruginous ; the legs have a yellowish-white pu-
bescence, that on the tarsi beneath fulvous. Abdomen ovate,
highly polished and finely punctured; on the basal margins of the
second and third segments is a fascia of very short yellowish-
white pubescence ; the pubescence is beautifully plumose, or
pectinate ; the apical segments have a scattered short pale ful-
vous pubescence, the sides of the anal rima fulvous.
This species most closely resembles the female of H. lugubris
(IcEvigatus), but, independent of the puncturing of the thorax,
its colour is olive-green ; the form of the head is also very dif-
ferent. The first specimen was received from Mr. Dale, who
captured it at Bournemouth ; it has been received from the Rev.
W. Little, who found it at Moffat ; and it has also been taken at
Hawley, Hants ; its male is not known.
12. Halictus lugubris.
H. ater, subpubescens ; thorace pube ferruginea vestito ; abdo-
mine nitidissimo, segmentis intermediis basi pallescentibus.
Mas, abdominis segmentis intermediis basi utrinque, tarsisque
basi, albis.
Melitta lugubris, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 81. 86 $ .
Melitta laevigata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 75. 32 $ .
c 5
34 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Halictus fodiens, Latr. Hist. Nat. Crust, et Ins. xiii. 367. 3.
Halictus laevigatus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 274. 12.
Nyland. Revift. Ap. Boreal. 239. 4.
Halictus lugubris, Smith, Zool vi. 2169. 19 <J $ .
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
pale fulvous pubescence ; the clypeus slightly produced, shining,
and having a few large punctures, the mandibles ferruginous at
their apex. Thorax shining, the punctures large and scattered
on the disk, which is clothed with fulvo-ferruginous pubescence;
the tegulce nigro-piceous ; the wings subhyaline, iridescent, the
nervures pale ferruginous ; the apical margins faintly clouded ;
the legs have a bright fulvous pubescence, the claws ferrugi-
nous. Abdomen smooth and highly polished ; the base has a
thin fulvous pubescence, the basal margins of the second, third
and fourth segments have a pale fulvous fascia ; the first usually,
and the second occasionally, interrupted; the apical segment
clothed with similar pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3-3! lines. The face has a short white pubes-
cence, the clypeus produced, immaculate ; the antennae as long
as the thorax, which is closely punctured and has a thin hoary
pubescence ; the tegulae pale rufo-testaceous, the wings hya-
line and beautifully iridescent, the nervures pale rufo-testaceous;
the anterior and intermediate tibiae at their extreme base, the
posterior pair at their base and extreme apex, and the tarsi,
yellowish- white ; the claws ferruginous. Abdomen elongate-
ovate, smooth, shining and having some delicate scattered
punctures ; the second, third and fourth segments laterally have
a small patch of white pubescence on their basal margins. B.M.
This pretty species appears to be rather local and not very
abundant ; it is found in the London district about Greenwich
and Charlton ; it is also taken in the Isle of Wight, and has been
received from Scotland.
Div. II. Body more or less metallic ; the second recurrent ner-
vure received near the apex of the second submarginal cell.
13. Halictus flavipes.
H. nigro-seneus, pallido-subpubescens ; abdominis segmentis
marginibus pallidis. Mas nigro-seneus, nitidus, pedibus flavis.
Apis flavipes, Fabr. Mant. Ins. i. 305. 89.
Hyheus flavipes, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 305. 11 <J .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 35
Melitta flavipes, Kirby, Mon Ap. AngL ii. 55. 15.
Apis subaurata, Rossi, Faun. Etrus. p. 321. 144 .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 4.
Apis seladonia, Fair. Ent. Syst. Suppl. p. 276. 120.
Megilla seladonia, Fair. Syst. Piez. p. 334. 28.
Melitta seladonia, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 57. 16.
Halictus seladonius, Latr. Hist. Nat. Crust, et Ins. xiii. 367. 4.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 203. 8.
Halictus subauratus, Brulle, Exped. Sc. Moree, Zool.ui. 352. 777.
'Halictus flavipes, Smith, Zool vi. 2042. 3 $ ? .
Female. Length 3-4 lines. Nigro-aeneous ; the flagellum at
the apex beneath testaceous ; the thorax shining and closely
punctured ; the metathorax sometimes blue-green ; the pro-
thorax has an impressed line in the centre passing backwards
to the middle of the disk, and on each side there is a shorter
one opposite the tegulae; the tegulae slightly testaceous; the
wings hyaline and iridescent, the nervures pale testaceous ; the
pubescence of the legs yellowish-white, that on the tarsi beneath
golden-yellow ; the apical joints of the tarsi pale ferruginous.
Abdomen ovate, very closely and finely punctured ; the apical
margins of the segments have pale fasciae, sometimes white,
the first usually interrupted ; the sides of the anal rima slightly
fulvous. B.M.
Mate. Length 3-3 lines. Brassy-green, very closely and finely
punctured, the apex of the clypeus, the labrum, and mandibles
yellow, the latter ferruginous at their apex ; the antennae as
long as the thorax, fulvous beneath and fuscous above, the
scape black ; the thorax has a central impressed line, and a
short one over the tegulae ; the tegulae y ellow ; the legs sulphur-
yellow, the tibiae and femora have some rufous stains ; the
wings hyaline and iridescent, the nervures testaceous. Abdomen
elongate, shining and subclavate, the apex obtusely rounded, the
margins of the segments depressed and having a thinly scat-
tered griseous pubescence, particularly on the sides. B.M.
The male of this species very closely resembles the A. tumulo-
rum of Linnaeus ; but Nylander says the latter is the male of his
H.fasciatus, and also of H. gramineus ; of the former it certainly
may be, but not of the latter, of which both sexes exist in the
Museum collection. In F. Smith's collection is a specimen
named fasciatus by Dr. Nylander, but either this is a mistake,
or the resemblance to H. flavipes $ is so great that it appears
to be only a fresh specimen of that species. H. tumulorum has
not yet been discovered in this country.
H. flavipes is an abundant insect, found in all parts of the
country.
36 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
14. Halictus gramineus.
H. nigro-aeneus, pallido pubescens ; abdomine pubescente pul-
veroso.
Halictus gramineus, Smith, Zool. vii. Append. Iviii.
Female. Length 3 lines. Green, finely and closely punctured ;
the apical joints of the flagellum rufo-testaceous beneath ; the
head and thorax have a thinly scattered fulvous pubescence,
palest on the face ; the tegulae honey-yellow, as well as the ex-
treme base of the wings, which are hyaline and splendidly irides-
cent, the nervures pale testaceous ; the anterior tibiae, the inter-
mediate and posterior pairs at their base, and all the tarsi testa-
ceous, the claws ferruginous. The abdomen entirely covered
with a very short pale fulvous pubescence, slightly intermixed
with paler down, or scales, on the margins of the segments,
giving them a subfasciate appearance. B.M.
Male. Rather smaller than the female, similarly clothed ; the
antennae not so long as the thorax, the flagellum fulvous be-
neath ; the apex of the clypeus, the labrum and apex of the
mandibles yellow. Thorax : the wings as in the female -, the
tibiae and tarsi yellow; a ferruginous stain on the anterior
tibiae in front, and also a similar spot on each side of the inter-
mediate and posterior pairs, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
ovate, scarcely longer than in the other sex. B.M.
The description of the male of this species will at once show
that it cannot be the Apis tumulorum of Linnaeus, who says,
" Antennae filiformes, corporis fere longitudine." In H. yrami-
neus they are about two-thirds of the length of the thorax ; the
typical specimen of tumulorum in the Linnaean Cabinet has
three or four of the apical joints of the antennae black, or fus-
cous. Of this very distinct species two specimens have been
taken on Cove Common, Hants ; there are several in the col-
lection of the British Museum, from Devonshire.
15. Halictus Smeathmanellus.
H. viridi-eeneus, nitidissimus ; abdominis segmentis intermediis
basi utrinque tomentosis albis.
Melitta Smeathmanella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. App. ii. 375. 111.
Halictns Smeathmanellus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2101. 7.
Female. Length 3-3 lines. Bright metallic-green, closely and
finely punctured; the flagellum nigro-piceous beneath, the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 3?
mandibles ferruginous at their apex ; the tegulse, nervures and
extreme base of the wings testaceous, the wings hyaline and
beautifully iridescent ; the legs have a thin cinereous pubes-
cence. Abdomen ovate, very glossy, and having a very thinly
scattered downy pubescence ; the apical margins of the seg-
ments slightly testaceous, at the basal margin of the second
and third segments laterally, a patch of white pubescence ; the
sides of the apical rima pale fulvous. B.M.
Male. Of the same colour as the female, the apex of the cly-
peus pale yellow, the antennae as long as the thorax, the fla-
gellum fulvous beneath, the apex of the mandibles ferruginous.
Thorax : the tegulae piceous ; the wings hyaline and splendidly
iridescent. Abdomen elongate, shining green, at the base of
the two intermediate segments sometimes a little short white
pubescence. B.M.
This is a local species, but is frequently found in the London
district ; it formerly occurred about Old Brompton and Ham-
mersmith, also in the Battersea Fields, one of the best localities
for insects generally, about fourteen years ago, of any spot in
the neighbourhood of London.
16. Halictus seratus.
H. viridi-seneus, nitidus ; abdomine nigro-seneo.
Melitta aerata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 58. 17.
Halictus aeratus, Smith, Zool vi. 2043. 4.
Female. Length 21-3 lines. Head and thorax brassy-green ;
the flagellum slightly testaceous towards the apex beneath;
the thorax shining, the metathorax having at its base a sub-
defined space, its margin behind ridged, the space longitu-
dinally rugose ; the wings subhyaline, splendidly iridescent ;
the abdomen nigro-seneous, smooth and shining, the apical
margins of the segments slightly testaceous ; the basal margins
of the intermediate segments have sometimes laterally, a little
short white pubescence, frequently obliterated. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Head and thorax of a bronzed or brassy-
green, antennae nearly as long as the thorax, the flagellum ful-
vous beneath, apex of the clypeus pale yellow ; the wings sub-
hyaline ; the tegulse rufo-piceous. Abdomen black, slightly
nigro-ceneous at the base, which is very glossy ; the two inter-
mediate segments, and sometimes the third segment also, have
a little white pubescence on each side at the base. B.M.
38 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This species very closely resembles H. morio, but it differs
both in the colour and sculpture of the metathorax, which
has a subenclosed space at its base, more strongly rugose than
in H. morio, and is of the same colour as the disk, whereas, in
H . morio, it is of a darker green than the other parts ; the male
of H. ceratus has the metathorax more coarsely sculptured, and
is also a rather smaller species. It is distributed all over the
country, but not so numerously as R. morio, colonies of which
are of frequent occurrence.
17. Halictus morio.
H. seneus, metathorace caerulescenti ; abdomine nigro.
Hylaeus morio, Fabr.Ent. Syst. ii. 306. 16(?; SysL Piez. 321. 8.
Coqueb. Illust. Icon. Ins. p. 25. t. 6. f. 5.
Melitta morio, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 60. 19 $ $ -
Halictus morio, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 284. 26.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2101. 6.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 204. 9.
Female. Length 2-2 lines. Head and thorax brassy-green,
finely and closely punctured ; antennae fulvous towards their
apex beneath ; thorax shining, the metathorax of a blue-green,
longitudinally rugose at the base, not enclosed ; the wings sub-
hyaline, splendidly iridescent, the nervures testaceous ; the te-
gulse piceous ; the legs have a glittering white pubescence.
Abdomen ovate, black and shining, having a short scattered
pale pubescence at the sides and towards the apex ; the basal
lateral margins of the two intermediate segments have some-
times a little short white pubescence, very frequently oblite-
rated. B.M.
Male. Length 2^ lines. Head and thorax coloured as in the
female, the clypeus yellow at its apex ; the nagellum fulvous
beneath ; the abdomen elongate, black, the margins of the two
basal segments depressed ; a little white pubescence on the
basal margins of the second and third segments. B.M.
This is perhaps the most abundant of all the species ; it is to
be found frequently at the sides of old walls, and in pathways,
even in streets in the suburbs of London ; Nomodafurva fre-
quently infests its burrows. Males are found as late as the end
of October.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
39
18. Halictus leucopus.
H. viridi-aeneus, abdomine nigro. Mas, antennis subtus fulvis ;
tar sis albidis.
Melitta leucopus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 59. 18 $ .
Halictus leucopus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2101. 7 $ ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 247. 23.
Female. Length 3 lines. He*ad and thorax dark green, the
clypeus slightly produced; the flagellum testaceous beneath.
Thorax shining ; the tegulse testaceous ; the wings hyaline, iri-
descent, the nervures pale testaceous ; the legs have a glitter-
ing white pubescence, that on the tarsi beneath pale fulvous.
Abdomen very glossy at the base, the apical margins of the
segments rufo-piceous, and having a scattered pubescence
towards the apex ; sometimes a little white pubescence at the
lateral basal margins of the second and third segments. B.M.
Male. Head and thorax bright green, the apex of the clypeus,
labrum and mandibles pale yellow ; the flagellum pale fulvous
beneath. Thorax : the tegulse rufo-piceous ; the wings hyaline,
splendidly iridescent ; all the tarsi and the base of the tibiae pale
yellow, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen black, elongate-ovate,
thinly covered with short griseous pubescence ; the apical
margins of the two basal segments depressed. B.M.
This species is not so abundant as the two preceding, but is
widely distributed ; the female is so like to that of aneus, that it
becomes difficult to point out a distinctive difference ; the form
of the head is perhaps the best and most obvious difference, it is
much rounder, and the clypeus scarcely produced ; the disk of
the thorax is more strongly and not so closely punctured;
the males are easily distinguished by the colouring of the tarsi.
I possess specimens taken " in coitu," or I could not have felt
certain of the sexes, although I had strong suspicions pre-
viously. These small species of Halicti are difficult to separate,
and require attentive study and observation.
Div. III. Entirely black the first recurrent nervure uniting
with the second transverse cubital nervure.
19. Halictus longulus.
H. niger, pubescentia rufo-testacea, abdomine elongato.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black, head and thorax very closely
40 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
and finely punctured; the flagellum fulvo-piceous towards
the apex beneath; the clypeus scarcely produced. Thorax
subopake ; the tegulse rufo-testaceous ; the wings hyaline, the
nervures pale testaceous ; the base of the metathorax subru-
gose, not enclosed ; the legs are dark rufo-testaceous and have
a pale fulvous pubescence, their apical joints ferruginous. Ab-
domen elongate-ovate, delicately punctured, the base very
smooth and shining, the margins of the segments rufo-testa-
ceous ; thinly clothed with short' pale pubescence, most dense
at the sides and towards the apex, the margins of the interme-
diate segments slightly depressed ; beneath, fringed with a long
pale pubescence. B.M.
This species was first captured by Mr. C. Bowring, who pre-
sented specimens to the Museum ; since that time it has occurred
in plenty at the land- slip at Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, an excellent
locality for Hymenoptera, and one of the most beautiful spots in
the island. It is very distinct from all the other species, but most
nearly approaches the female of H. albipes, from which the neu-
ration of the wing at once separates it; the male is not known.
20. Halictus laevis.
H. ater, pallido-villosulus ; abdomine nigro, Isevi, nitidissimo.
Melitta laevis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 65. 24 <j> .
Halictus Uevis, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 277. 16 ?
Smith, Zool. vi. 2104. 12.
Female. Length 3f lines. Black, the head and thorax closely
punctured, a little scattered fulvous pubescence on the face and
disk of the thorax, on the sides of the latter it is more dense ;
the tegulse pale testaceous ; the wings hyaline, having a slight
fulvous tinge, the nervures pale testaceous ; the legs rufo-tes-
taceous, their pubescence pale fulvous, that on the tarsi beneath
pale fulvous, the tarsi ferruginous; the metathorax rugose.
Abdomen ovate, widest towards the apex, very glossy, smooth
and impunctate, the apical segments having a short pale pu-
bescence ; beneath, the margins of the segments have a fringe
of pale pubescence.
This has hitherto been a rare species in cabinets, the type
being the only known specimen until a second was taken by Mr.
Dawson at Ventnor, Isle of Wight ; I have myself searched the
same locality, but captured H. longulus : I have some suspicion
that the latter may be a variety, but I have not felt justified in
uniting them ; the typical specimen in the Kirbyan collection is
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 41
in a mutilated condition, and I had the misfortune to injure my
own, I am therefore compelled to adopt the course I have done,
rather than allow the strongest suspicion to influence my decision
whilst a doubt remained.
21. Halictus subfasciatus,
H. ater, griseo-subpubescens, abdomine mtidissimo, segmentis
pallido-subfasciatis.
Halictus subfasciatus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 200.
Female. Length 3 lines. Black, the apical portion of the
flagellum fulvo-piceous beneath ; the disk of the thorax finely
and closely punctured, subopake ; the metathorax truncate, at
the base an enclosed portion which has on each side a slight
ridge, and terminates posteriorly at the verge of the trun-
cation, which is subrugose, the sculpture formed of radiating
sulcations. Abdomen slightly pubescent, the apical margins of
the segments have a very thin fascia of pale hairs, interrupted
on the two first segments, and frequently almost entirely ob-
solete ; the legs have pale yellowish-white pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black, the flagellum beneath pale ful-
vous ; the anterior tibiae in front and all the tarsi of a reddish-
yellow.
This species was added to our fauna by the capture of several
specimens in 1842 in Yorkshire, a few miles from Wakefield, on
a lofty hill called Woolley-edge ; several insects which are
common in Scotland have been found at the same locality. The
name given to this bee in the Catalogue of Andrenidae, published
by the British Museum, has had its correctness confirmed by
Dr. Nylander, to whom specimens were sent ; he observes that
the species is found in Sweden, Finland, and Lapland.
22. Halictus fulvicornis.
H. niger ; antennis thorace longioribus, subtus fulvescentibus,
supra subfuscis ; abdomine nitido, segmentis intermediis basi
albis.
Melitta fulvicornis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 67. 27<?.
Halictus fulvicornis, Smith, Zool. vi. 2170. 20.
Male. Length 3| lines. Black, the face anteriorly clothed
with short white pubescence, the clypeus white at the apex, the
antennae longer than the thorax, fulvous beneath, and more or
42 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
less fuscous above. Thorax finely and very closely punctured,
the metathorax rugose ; the tegulse rufo-piceous ; the wings
hyaline, iridescent, the nervures fuscous ; the tibiae at their
base and apex, the anterior pair in front, and the tarsi yellow ;
the anterior tibiae are sometimes fulvous in front ; the claws fer-
ruginous. Abdomen elongate, very smooth and shining, im-
punctate ; the margins of the intermediate segments depressed,
and having at their base laterally a little white pubes-
cence. B.M.
Dr. Nylander suggests the probability of this male belonging
to H. subfasciatus, which is very probable, but he does not say
whether the clypeus is pale or not at the apex. I have taken
this bee near London, but never met with H. subfasciatus ; a
doubt existing, they are separated. I did not find the male in
Yorkshire, where I took H. subfasciatus, but it was perhaps too
early in the season for their appearance.
23. Halictus minutus.
H. niger, valde nitidus ; antennis subtus fulvescentibus.
Melitta minuta, Kirby, Mon Ap. Angl ii. 61. 20 <? ? .
Halictus minutus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 227. 17.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2102. 13.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 202. 7.
Female. Length 2^-3 lines. Black ; head and thorax very
finely punctured; the flagellum fulvescent beneath. Thorax
glossy, the wings subhyaline and iridescent, the tegulae and
nervures rufo-piceous ; the metathorax rounded, subrugbse at
the base, beyond which is a smooth and shining space ; the legs
sometimes nigro-piceous, thinly sprinkled with cinereous pu-
bescence, the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen
very glossy, ovate and delicately punctured. B.M.
Male. Length 2| lines. The antennae as long as the thorax,
subfulvous beneath, sometimes bright fulvous, the scape black ;
the face clothed with white pubescence ; the apex of the clypeus
yellowish-white, the mandibles towards their apex reddish-yel-
low, their tips ferruginous. Thorax shining, the wings beauti-
fully iridescent ; the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-testaceous ;
the abdomen elongate, the margins of the intermediate segments
depressed. B.M.
The females of this species most closely resemble those of
villosulus, but the puncturing will at once distinguish them ; in
minutus the thorax is closely and finely punctured, whilst in vil-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 43
tosulus the punctures are stronger and dispersed. This bee is
very generally distributed over all parts of the kingdom.
24. Halictus nitidiusculus.
H. niger, glabriusculus ; antennis subtus fulvis ; thorace glabro
punctulato, tegulis testaceis.
Melitta nitidiuscula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 64. 23 $ .
Halictus nitidiusculus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2103. 10 <? .
Female. Length 2-3 lines. Black ; the flagellum fulvous be-
neath. Thorax obscurely nigro-seneous, the tegulse and ner-
vures pale testaceous, the legs more or less testaceous, the tarsi
rufo-testaceous. Abdomen sometimes rufo- testaceous, seldom
black, very delicately punctured, and shining at the base, the
margins of the segments slightly testaceous. B.M.
Male. Length 2i-2 lines. The face has a fine short white
pubescence ; the flagellum fulvous beneath ; the clypeus at the
apex, the labrum and mandibles, yellowish-white. Thorax
shining, the metathorax rotundate, finely roughened at the base,
beyond which it is smooth and shining ; the tegulse pale, the
wings subhyaline and iridescent; the base and apex of the
tibiae nd the tarsi pale yellow. Abdomen elongate, shining;
the three intermediate segments have beneath, on each side, a
fimbria of pale hairs. B.M.
This species is frequently infested with a Stylops ; several spe-
cimens have been taken on Hampstead Heath thus attacked.
25. Halictus interruptus.
H. ater, abdomine glabriusculo, segmento primo ferrugineo.
Hylaeus interruptus, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 4.
Halictus interruptus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 288. 32.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2167.16.
Male. Length 2f lines. Black ; the face has a short silvery-
white pubescence ; the apex of the clypeus, labrum and man-
dibles yellow, the tips of the latter ferruginous ; the flagellum
fulvous beneath. Thorax strongly punctured, sometimes a
lateral white spot on the collar ; wings hyaline and iridescent ;
the metathorax rugose and rotundate. Abdomen elongate,
the first segment and sometimes the base of the second red, the
three following segments have a narrow interrupted white mar-
ginal fascia. B.M.
44 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This is a species which has not been captured since Dr. Leach
met with it in Devonshire, therefore no other locality than
Kingsbridge in that county is known.
26. Halictus minutissinms.
H. ater, glabriusculus ; abdoraine nitidissimo.
Melitta rainutissima, Kirby, Man. Ap. Angl. ii. 63. 22 $ ^ .
Halictus minutissimus, Smith, Zool. vi. 2103. 9.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 246. 20.
Female. Length 2-2 lines. Black ; head and thorax closely
punctured ; the tips of the mandibles ferruginous ; the meta-
thorax rotundate ; the tegulse piceous ; the wings subhyaline and
iridescent. Abdomen oblong-ovate, closely punctured and
shining, the apical margins of the segments sometimes rufo-
piceous. B.M.
Male. Length 1^2 lines. The antennas fulvous beneath, sub-
moniliform ; apex of the clypeus, the labrum and mandibles
yellow, the tips of the latter ferruginous ; the wings subhyaline,
splendidly iridescent ; the tarsi rufo-piceous. Abdomen elon-
gate-ovate, the margins of the intermediate segments depressed
at their base ; smooth, shining, and very closely and finely
punctured. B.M.
This is the smallest species of bee found in this country ; it
appears to be generally distributed, and is easily distinguished
from all the other species. I possess a specimen infested by a
Sty lops ; it may be known from H . minutus by its being more
closely and strongly punctured : the male has a shorter and
more convex abdomen, and the entire insect is of a deeper black.
Genus 5. ANDRENA.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 953 (1766).
Andrena, pt., Fair. Syst. Ent. p. 376 (1775).
Nomada, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 345 (1793).
Melitta, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. i. 140 (1802).
Head as wide as the thorax, subrotundate, in some species sub-
triangular, in the males frequently wider than the thorax ; an-
tennas geniculated, the flagellum subclavate, in the males fre-
quently elongate and filiform ; the stemmata placed in a triangle
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 45
on the vertex ; the labial palpi 4-jointed, nearly as long as the
labium; the basal joint longest, each gradually decreasing in
length ; the paraglossse shorter than the labium ; the maxillary
palpi 6-jointed, the second joint longest. The superior wings
with one marginal and three submarginal cells; the second
submarginal cell receiving the first recurrent nervure in, or about
the middle; the posterior femora furnished with a floccus of
hairs at the base, and the posterior tibiae and basal joint of the
tarsi covered with a thick scopa, or pollen-brush. Abdomen
usually elongate- ovate, sometimes ovate; that of the males
usually elongate and lanceolate; their mandibles frequently
forcipate.
The bees included in the genus Andrena may be truly said
to be the harbingers of spring, for on the first fine days of
April males will be found frequenting the catkins and the
early flowers of spring ; my earliest date of their capture is
March 4th, 1849, when I met with Andrena bicolor and Gwy-
nana, both sexes of each.
This genus is by far the most numerous in species of all the
genera of bees found in this country ; we have about seventy
known species, and when the northern parts of the country
are assiduously searched, no doubt many more will be added.
These bees are all burrowers in the ground, some species prefer-
ing banks of light earth, others hard trodden pathways, &c. ;
their burrows differ in depth, but are seldom less than about six,
whilst others excavate to nine or ten inches ; at the bottom
of each burrow is formed a small oval cell, or chamber, in which
the industrious female lays up a small pellet of pollen mixed
with honey ; these little balls are usually about the size of a
garden pea, varying somewhat in size in different species. Some-
times, apparently to economise time, the bee constructs branch
tunnels, each having a similar chamber at its extremity ; this
peculiarity I have observed in A. rubricata and A.fulvescens;
it is also probably not unusual with many other species : when
she has completed her task, she closes the mouth of the tunnel.
These bees are subject to the attacks of parasites : the first
to be remarked upon, are those bees which compose the genus
Nomada ; they are more popularly known as wasp-bees, since
they bear a considerable resemblance to some of the small
solitary species of that family. These parasites appear to be
upon ft perfectly friendly footing with the industrious bees, and
are permitted, without let or hindrance, to enter their burrows.
It has been advanced as a proof of the ingenuity and artifice ne-
46 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
cessary to be employed in effecting the deposit of their eggs in
the working bees' nests, that the parasites should bear a close
resemblance to the bees upon which they are parasitic : some
instances may undoubtedly be advanced, as Apathus and Bombus,
and also in the different species of Volucella which infest the nests
of humble-bees, but amongst the solitary bees no such resem-
blance is required to aid in any necessary deception. It may
be remarked, that the two cases are not analogous : this is true ;
and I am not prepared to say that in the case of the Bombi and
their enemies, it may not be necessary, but as regards solitary
bees it certainly is not ; colonies of Andrenidce and their para-
sites mingle together in perfect harmony, issuing from and en-
tering into the burrows indiscriminately. I have on several
occasions watched with much enjoyment a large colony of Eucera
longicornis, the males occasionally darting forwards with great
velocity, then turning sharply round, and as it were swimming
in circles close to the ground, then darting off again and again
in an unceasing round of sportive enjoyment ; their industrious
partners, whose whole existence appears to be bound up in one
unceasing round of labour, would occasionally return home laden
with food for their young progeny. Sometimes it would happen
that a Nomada had previously entered her nest; when such proved
to be the case, she would issue from it, and flying off to a short
distance wait patiently until the parasite came forth, when she
would re-enter and deposit her burden. It will be observed,
in this instance, that between Eucera and Nomada no resem-
blance exists in general appearance, one being several times
larger than the other, and covered with pubescence of a sombre
colour ; whereas the parasite is a gaily-coloured insect, destitute
of pubescence, and readily observed from the brightness of its
colouring. To some extent, I have observed that a constant
connexion between certain species exists, and I have never met
with some species of these parasites except in connection with
certain species of Andrena ; but there are others, as Nomada
ruficornis, succincta, alternata and Lathburiana, which infest the
nests of several species of Andrena indiscriminately ; the species
are, A. tibialis, Trimmer ana, Afzeliella andfulva ; but the fol-
lowing I have never observed, except connected as follows :
Nomada later alls and A. longipes, N. baccata and A. argentata,
N. borealis and A. Clarkella, N. Germanica and A. fulvescens,
and, lastly, N. sexfasciata and Eucera longicornis. Much
further investigation is still necessary before we can arrive at
a knowledge of the real nature of the connexion which exists
between the bees and their parasites. It has been supposed
that the parasitic larva is hatched sooner than that of the
rightful owner of the nest, and that it consequently consumes
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 47
the food, and leaves the larva of the bee to perish ; but to this
I do not assent : it appears so contrary to all natural laws, that
I cannot think it even probable : nature I have never observed
to be thus wasteful of animal life such a proceeding is unne-
cessary, and therefore unlikely : where a destruction of animal
life is observed, it can usually be traced to some reasonable
cause, as the destruction of the larvae of certain Lepidoptera,
being a check upon their superabundance : a parallel to this
doe's not appear to me to exist in the case of the bees : I am
more inclined to believe, that when the parasite has depo-
sited her egg upon the store of pollen, the industrious bee at
once deserts it, and proceeds to construct a fresh burrow ; and
that the parasites which may be observed constantly entering
different burrows, do so in order that they may find the requisite
quantity of food, which will usually be much less than that re-
quired for the industrious bee ; having found which, they deposit
their egg, and the nest is then possibly deserted by its legitimate
owner.
The Andrenidce are also subject to the attacks of other ene-
mies, if so t!:ey can be called; we have seen that in the first
place their food is attacked by Nomadce, we are now to find their
larvae attacked by insects belonging to the Order Coleoptera ;
these belong to the genus Stylops, which several distinguished
entomologists of the present day agree in placing amongst the
Heteromerous parasitic beetles. These insects were placed in a
new order by Mr. Kirby, named Strepsiptera, and as such they
are still regarded by many entomologists ; we have at present
only to do with them as enemies to the bees, and briefly to nar-
rate the manner in which the latter are attacked by them. These
insects are diminutive in size, the largest known species not ex-
ceeding a quarter of an inch in length ; we are now speaking of
the winged males ; the females are apterous grub-like insects,
which never leave the bodies of the bees. If the abdomens of a
number of Andrenidce be examined, it is most probable that the
female of Stylops will be found ; her presence is known by the
protrusion of her head and a portion of the thorax between the
abdominal segments on their superior surface, resembling the
point of a small bud of a brown colour, or rather a flattened
scale. I have several times bred the larvae of Stylops in the fol-
lowing manner : on finding a bee infested as described, place her
in a box 5 or 6 inches square, cover it with gauze, and supply
the bee with fresh flowers such as the Andrenida frequent ; exa-
mine the bee every day, and it is most likely that in eight or ten
days she will appear as if her abdomen was covered with dust ;
examine it, and in all probability she will be found to be covered
with an innumerable quantity of exceedingly minute animals ;
48 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
these are the larvae of Stylops - } by the aid of a magnify ing-glass
they may be seen to issue from the transverse aperture on the
thorax : when the bee re-enters the cell, or settles upon flowers,
these diminutive creatures will of course occasionally be depo-
sited, and by these means, when other bees visit the flowers,
they attach themselves to them and are carried to their nests.
Judging from the multitude of larva? produced by each female
Stylops, amounting to many hundreds in each case, and the
rarity of the perfect insect, the majority must perish, probably
in their larval condition. From the fact of seldom more than two
Stylops being found to infest the same bee, we may suppose
that to be the largest number which infests one larva of an
Andrena ; they undergo their changes in the body of the bee,
the male on its final transformation becoming an active winged
insect, the female remaining a mere apod, attached for life to
the bee which nourished it. A most complete and interesting
summary of the observations of entomologists on these parasites,
will be found in the twentieth volume of the ( Transactions of
the Linnaean Society/ by Mr. George Newport, who has in this
paper entered most minutely into the anatomy, functions and
development of these remarkable parasites, being the most in-
teresting and complete essay on the subject yet written.
There are still other parasites to be noticed, which will occa-
sionally be found on the bodies of these bees ; the first to be
noticed is a small orange-coloured Pediculus, which is about
one-tenth of an inch in length ; this is the larva of Meloe; I have
several times reared these hexapods from the eggs of that beetle.
For the most complete account of their history, reference must be
made to the twentieth volume of the ' Linnaean Transactions,'
which contains Mr. George Newport's most interesting memoir
on Meloe cicatricosus ; in this paper it is shown that the larva
of the beetle feeds on that of Anthophora pilipes ; but it re-
mains to be proved, that the larva of an Andrena can serve
as food for the larva of a Meloe':, I am inclined to think this
can never be the case, and that the fact of our finding them on
these bees is a mere indication of the usual habit of the larva? in
attaching themselves to any insect which comes in their way, for
we as constantly find them on Diptera and flower-visiting Cole-
optera as upon the Andrenidce : it has been shown that a larva
of Anthophora will nourish that of Meloe, but so small a larva
as that of Andrena can I think scarcely answer that purpose ; I
have however included them, but merely as supposed parasites
on Andrena.
We now come to the last supposed parasite on these bees ; it
is found on their bodies, and exactly resembles in form the
last-mentioned, but is of a brown-black colour, and is full twice
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 49
the size ; they attach themselves to the hairy parts of the bees,
as the metathorax, and the sides of the thorax beneath the wings.
What these pediculi really are, is at present involved in complete
obscurity ; Mr. Kirby regarded them as insects in their perfect
condition, naming them Pediculus Melittce. I have frequently
observed these creatures in considerable numbers in the flowers
of Ranunculus acris, as many as twenty or more in a single
flower, about the month of April ; and I think always before the
usual time for meeting with the larvae of Meloe. I have found
them on various species of bees, usually on those which are most
pubescent, as Andrena fulva, thoracica, and nigro-cenea ; also
commonly on Melecta armata, Anthopkora retusa and pilipes ;
this circumstance would appear to confirm, or indicate a con-
nection between the insects, and from analogy we might readily
conclude that this Pediculus must be a parasite on some species
of bee ; but we have nothing in support of this supposition, and
against it we have the following observations : Mr. Newport
has shown that it cannot be the larva of Meloe cicatricosus, and,
as well as myself, has proved that it cannot be that of M. viola-
ceus or of M. Proscarabceus ; and since the only other species of
Meloe, the M. variegatus, does not occur near London, it appears
certain that it cannot be the larva of any species of that genus,
unless it be discovered hereafter that the larva of Meloe not only
increases in size in its hexapod state, but that it also changes
from bright orange to black.
Another circumstance which induces me to hesitate in adopt-
ing an opinion of the Pediculus being a larva at all, is the fact,
that on opening some cells of Anthophora retusa, which I dug
up on Hampstead Heath, I found two living specimens of the
hexapod in the same cell as the perfect bee ; it is certainly pos-
sible that they might have subsisted on a portion of the food
laid up by Anthophora ; but here was no change of condition,
and how came they into the cell ? I am inclined to think that
they, being insects in their perfect condition, came there exactly
in the same way as we find Forficula, having forced an entrance,
which I did not observe, and that they were in quest of food,
seeking what they might devour.
In the determination of the species of the genus Andrena
much difficulty will be met with, the similarity of the males of
many species being so great, that nothing short of a long and at-
tentive study of them, combined with out-of-door observations,
will enable the student to discover those niceties of distinction
which are easily detected by the practised observer ; these
difficulties are considerably enhanced by the changes in colour
to which they are subject. The species of the first division
which are usually more or less red are very inconstant ; speci-
D
50 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
mens of the same species from one locality being highly coloured,
whilst those from another have all a tendency to a sombre colour-
ing ; those species which have fulvous, or yellow pubescence,
are much changed by exposure to light, so much so, that a
bright fulvous insect becomes quite grey, or cinereous ; it must
therefore be borne in mind, that the individuals described are
only such as are in fine condition.
The genus Andrena contains several species which, in the
neuration of the wings, differ somewhat from that of the type ;
these will be found to agree with the second type of neuration,
in which the first recurrent nervure is received by the second
submarginal cell, towards the second transverse cubital nervure ;
that is to say, beyond the middle. The following species belong
to it: A. pilipes, varians, helvola, fucata, Clarkella, fulva,
Lapponica, Smithella, denticulata, and argentata>
Div, I. The abdomen in one or both sexes usually more or
less red.
1, Andrena Hattorfiana.
A . atra, glabriuscula ; abdomine nigro, cingulo antico rufo ; ano
scopaque fulvis.
Nomada Hattorfiana, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 349. 14 ? .
Andrena equestris, Panz. Faun. Germ. 46. 17.
Andrena Hattorfiana, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 325. 14.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 121. 7.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 254. 25 ^ $ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 208. 1.
Melitta Lathamana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 83. 38 ^ .
Melitta haemorrhoidalis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 141. 81, var. ? .
Andrena 4-punctata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 324, 11 $ .
Andrena haemorrhoidalis, Smith, Zool. v. 1664. 1.
Female. Length 6-8 lines. Black; the face thinly clothed
with a short griseous pubescence, and having a fine yellowish
pile close to the inner margin of the eyes ; the flagellum rufo-
piceous beneath. Thorax shining, finely punctured ; the sides
and the metathorax have a long, loose, sparing pubescence ;
the wings fulvo-hyaline, their apical margins have a fuscous
cloud ; the tegulse and nervures ferruginous ; the legs have a
pale fulvous pubescence, the floccus being the palest ; the scopa
fulvous, the calcaria pale testaceous, the tarsi ferruginous.
Abdomen ovate, subdepressed ; the first, second, and apical
margin of the third segment, ferruginous ; sometimes the basal
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 51
margin also of the latter is red ; the extreme base is black, and
the second segment has usually a black dot at its extreme lateral
margin in the middle; the apical margins of the third and
fourth segments have narrow fasciae of white pubescence, the
first usually interrupted ; the apical fimbria fulvous. B.M.
Var. a. The apical margin of the first and base only of the second
segment red.
Var. /3. The abdomen black, the margins of the segments being
obscurely rufo-testaceous.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the clypeus white, and having
four black dots, two about the middle and two united to the
black anterior margin. Thorax more pubescent than in the
female ; the wings as in the other sex ; the pubescence on the
legs griseous. Abdomen oblong-ovate, the margins of the seg-
ments subdepressed and obscurely rufo-piceous ; the apex pale
fulvous. B.M.
Var. a. The basal segment rufo-testaceous.
This is the largest and handsomest species of the genus found
in this country ; the variety a. of the male has not yet been cap-
tured in England, but it is not uncommon on the continent. The
highly coloured specimens appear to be the normal condition of
the species, which is very widely distributed over Europe, being
found in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Albania, Denmark,
Sweden and Finland ; in most of these localities the coloured
specimens prevail, whilst in England they are rare. This insect
occurs at Erith, Darenth and Birchwood, Kent ; it is a summer
species, being found during July and August ; some very fine
specimens were captured by Mr. Samuel Stevens in Devonshire.
2, Andrena Rosse.
A. atra, cinereo-subvillosa ; abdomine cingulo antico rufo; scopa
versicolori.
Andrena Rosae, Panz. Faun. Germ. 74. 10 $ .
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. iii. p. 192. 19.
Smith, Zool. v. 1665.2.
Andrena Austriaca, Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 19.
Melitta Rosae, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 83. 39 ? , var. (3.
Melitta zonalis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 87. 40 $ .
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the flagellum piceous be-
neath, the tips of the mandibles ferruginous ; the sides of the
face, the margin of the vertex, and the cheeks have a pale ful-
vous pubescence. Thorax : the disk shining and finely punc-
D2
52 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
tured, interspersed with a few larger punctures ; the sides, and
the metathorax have a pale fulvous pubescence, the legs have a
similar pubescence ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous ;
the wings fulvo-hyaline, the tegulse rufo-piceous, the nervures
ferruginous; the floccus pale fulvous, the scopa of the same
colour beneath, above fuscous. Abdomen oblong-ovate, sub-
depressed; the second segment and apical margin of the first
red ; the second segment has sometimes a square black spot in
the middle ; the apical fimbria fusco-ferruginous ; beneath, the
second segment is red, and the margins of the segments have a
pale fulvous fringe. B.M.
Var. a. The apical margin of the first and basal margin of the
second segments red ; the legs dark rufo-piceous.
Var. #. A minute red dot on each side of the basal segment and
its apical margin red.
Var. y. The apical margins of the three basal segments rufo-
testaceous.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; the antennae as long as the
thorax, the joints of the flagellum subarcuate ; the face clothed
with a fuscous pubescence. Thorax shining, punctured as in
the female ; the pubescence and wings also as in that sex ; the
legs dark rufo-piceous, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen lan-
ceolate, and having a thinly scattered pale fulvous pubescence ;
the apical margins of the three basal segments more or less red,
or rufo-piceous ; beneath, the second segment is usually red.
B.M.
This is a very variable species in the colouring of the abdo-
men ; Mr. Kirby describes five varieties, but the var. 3. and .
are individuals of A. florea. A. Rosce is a very local insect;
in 1836 a single female occurred, between which year and 1844
no one appears to have met with it ; but in August of the latter
year fifteen specimens were taken, three of which were males ;
the locality was Shirley, near Croydon ; specimens have also
been captured at Hastings.
3. Andrena eximia.
A. atra, cinereo-subvillosa ; abdominis segmentis tribus basalibus
runs.
Andrena eximia, Smith, Zool. v. 1930. 70 $ .
Andrena Rosae, Smith, Zool. v. 1665. 2 ? (not var. 2, 3, 4).
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 53
Andrena spinigera, Smith, ZooL v. 1670. 7 <, var. 3 (not of
Kirby).
Andrena eximia, Smith, ZooL vi. 2211 $ .
Female. Length 5i lines. Black ; the face and cheeks have a
pale fulvous pubescence ; the flagellum fulvo-testaceous be*
neath, the mandibles ferruginous at the tips ; thorax very finely
punctured ; the sides and metathorax clothed with pale fulvous
pubescence ; wings subhyaline, nervures rufo-testaceous ; the
legs have a fuscous pubescence above, beneath it is pale fulvous,
that on the tarsi beneath ferruginous, the apical joints of the
tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, the three basal segments
red ; the base of the abdomen, the apical margin of the third
segment, and a quadrate spot in the middle black, the three
apical segments black, the apical fimbria fusco-ferruginous.
B.M.
Male. Length 5-5^ lines. Black ; the face densely clothed
with sooty-black pubescence, the mandibles forcipate, ferrugi-
nous at their apex, and armed at their base with an acute spine ;
the antennae nearly as long as the thorax, the joints subarcuate.
The thorax thinly clothed with fulvo-ochraceous pubescence ;
the wings hyaline, the nervures rufo-testaceous, the apical mar-
gins slightly clouded ; the legs fusco-ferruginous, the posterior
tibiae and the tarsi ferruginous ; their pubescence obscure ful-
vous. Abdomen lanceolate, coloured as in the other sex. B.M.
In the year 1836 a single specimen of the female of this
species was captured at Darenth Wood in the beginning of May,
and for some years was regarded as a variety of A. Rosce; but
subsequently, numbers were met with in the autumn of 1846.
In 1846 Mr. Weir took both sexes in company on the 10th of
April; on a re-examination of the specimen first captured, it
proved to be distinct from, although very like, A. Roses.
It is quite possible that it may be synonymous with the A.
spinigera of Kirby; but the latter insect has occurred near
Hampstead, and never with any appearance of the red belt on
the abdomen ; they are therefore kept apart. This species has
occurred at Darenth Wood in May, at Bexley, captured by
Mr. S. Stevens; and at Pembury, captured by Mr. Weir;
Mr. Heales also met with some males in the month of April,
at Hastings,
54 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
4. Andrena florea.
A. atra, fulvo-cinereo-pubescens ; abdominis segmentorum rnar-
ginibus rufo cingulatis.
Andrena florea, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 308. 6; Syst. Piez. p. 324.
12?.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 259. 32.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal. 251. 3.
Melitta Rosae, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 85, var. S & e, and the
male described.
Andrena rubricata, Smith, Zool. v. 1666. 3 <J ? .
Female. Length 6 lines. Black; the face clothed with yel-
lowish brown pubescence ; the flagellum rufo-piceous beneath ;
the pubescence on the thorax pale fulvous, fuscous on the
disk ; wings subhyaline, their margins faintly clouded, the ner-
vures pale ferruginous ; the legs have a fuscous pubescence
above, beneath it is pale fulvous ; that on the basal joint of the
tarsi beneath is dark fuscous, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
ovate and shining, delicately punctured, the apical margins of
the segments rufo-piceous ; the first and second are usually of
the brightest colour ; the apical fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 5-5^ lines. Black ; head wider than the thorax,
the pubescence fulvo-cinereous ; the tegulae rufo-piceous, the
wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures pale ferruginous ; the legs
dark mfo-testaceous, their pubescence pale fulvous, the claws
ferruginous. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate ; the second segment,
the apical margin of the first and basal margin of the third
segments red ; the apical margins of the following segments ob-
scurely rufo -testaceous ; the apex fulvous.
Var. a. A fuscous band across the middle of the second segment.
Var. /3. The margins only of the first and second segments nar-
rowly red.
Fabricius's name for this species is adopted without doubt,
Dr. Nylander having seen the typical insect in the Museum at
Kiel, and his acute and accurate judgment may be fully relied
upon. This is truly a summer insect, appearing usually about
the first of June ; it is associated with the brightest of all the
sunny days of June, when the wild briony is creeping over the
hedge, the flowers of which are its chief delight ; it is common
in many of the beautiful lanes of Hampshire, near Hawley ; it
burrows in the sandy banks, or sometimes in the trodden path-
ways. This beautiful species used to occur at Highgate, but
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 55
has not been observed there for some years past ; it occurs at
Weybridge ; in Hampshire it is extremely abundant. The male
may be known at once from the same sex of A. Rosa, by having
the joints of the flagellum simple, not arcuate.
5. Andrena decorata.
A. atra, abdomine nigro, segmento primo secundoque margini-
bus runs ; scopa fulva.
Andrena decorata, Smith, Zool. v. 1667. 4.
Female. Length 6-6 lines. Black ; the flagellum rufo-piceous
beneath ; the face clothed with pale fulvous pubescence. Thorax
coarsely punctured, the sides of the metathorax have a dense
pale fulvous pubescence ; the tegulae rufo-piceous, the nervures
pale testaceous ; the legs rufo-testaceous, and having a fulvous
pubescence, the scopa fulvous. Abdomen : the second segment
and the apical margin of the first red, the former having a
transverse fuscous stain in the middle, the apical fimbria fus-
cous. B.M.
Male. Length 5-5J lines. Black ; the head rather wider than
the thorax ; the face and sides of the metathorax have a fulvo-
ochraceous pubescence ; the antennae shorter than the thorax,
the joints subarcuate ; the wings hyaline, the nervures pale fer-
ruginous, the apical margins faintly clouded ; the tarsi and
apex of the tibiae pale rufo-testaceous. Abdomen lanceolate,
the apical margins of the three basal segments red.
This species closely resembles A. Eosce in general appearance,
but may be easily distinguished from it, having the thorax
coarsely punctured, and the scopae fulvous : it is very local, and
has been only twice met with, once at Birch Wood, and again at
Shirley Common.
6. Andrena Cetii.
A. nigra, cinereo-subvillosa ; thorace rufescenti; abdomine cin-
gulo rufo, segmentis posticis flavo-ciliatis.
Apis Cetii, Schrank, Ins. Ami. p. 405. 818 ?.
Andrena marginata, Fabr. Sp. Ins. i. 473. 4 ; Mant. Ins. \. 298. 5 ;
Ent. Syst. ii. 309. 10 ; Syst. Piez. p. 326. 20.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 15.
56 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Andrena marginata, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 255. 26.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 209. 2 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 25] . 4.
Melitta Schrankella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 90. 42.
Melitta affinis, Kirby, Mon, Ap. Angl. ii. 92. 43 (var. e).
Andrena Cetii, Smith, Zool. v. 1668. 6 ^ $ .
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face has a thin cinereous
pubescence, and a line of silvery pile along the inner margins of
the eyes ; the flagellum rufo-piceous towards the apex beneath.
Thorax thinly clothed with pale ochraceous pubescence ; the
wings subhyaline, slightly clouded at their apex, the nervures
ferruginous ; the legs have a short cinereous pubescence, their
floccus and scopa beneath are of the same colour, the latter
fuscous above. Abdomen oblong-ovate, the basal segment
black, except its apical margin, which, as well as the rest of the
abdomen, is red. B.M.
Var. a. The two apical segments fuscous.
Var. /3. The three apical segments fuscous.
Var. y. The three apical segments and a'dot on the third fuscous.
Var. d. The three apical segments and a dot on the second and
third fuscous.
Var. . Only the margins of three basal segments obscurely
red.
Male. Length 4 lines. Fuscous ; the face and disk of the
thorax have an ochraceous pubescence, the clypeus white and
having two black dots ; the wings as in the female ; the legs
rufo-testaceous, their pubescense pale ochraceous. Abdomen
lanceolate, the apical margins of the segments obscurely rufo-
piceous.
The female of this elegant insect is subject to great variety
of colouring, some of these differences are indicated ; the last is,
on a comparison of specimens, undoubtedly the Melitta affinis of
Kirby ; the pubescence is frequently hoary or white ; the species
does not appear before July, and is soon bleached by exposure.
Entomologists may meet with this beautiful insect in Hampshire,
but it is very local; Mr. S. Stevens has several times captured
it in Sussex in the month of August ; Mr. Sprague reports that
it is not at all uncommon in the meadows at Cambridge; pro-
bably A.frontalis is the male in a worn condition.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 57
7. Andrena cingulata.
A. nigra, cinereo-subpubescens ; abdomine glabriusculo, cingulo
ferrugineo utrinque puncto nigro.
Nomada cingulata, Fair. Sp. Ins. i. p. 488. 8 ? ; Mant. Ins. i. 307.
10 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 349. 15 ; Syst. Piez. p. 394. 17.
Rossi, Mant. p. 326.
Apis albilabris, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 23 $ .
.Apis sphegoides, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 24 $ .
Andrena sphegoides, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 121. 6.
Melitta cingulata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 88. 41.
Andrena cingulata, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 257. 29.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 210. 3 ; Revis.Ap. Boreal, p. 251. 5.
Smith, Zool v. 1668. 5.
Female. Length 4^ lines. Black and shining, the pubescence
cinereous ; a line of white pile on each side of the face along
the inner margin of the eyes; the flagellum rufo-piceous beneath.
Thorax : the tegulae rufo-piceous, the wings subhyaline, faintly
clouded at their apical margins, the nervures nigro-piceous ; the
floccus and scopa beneath white, the latter fulvous above. Ab-
domen ovate, delicately punctured, the second and third seg-
ments and the apical margin of the first red ; the second has
on each side a minute fuscous dot, the apical fimbria fulvous.
B.M.
Male. This sex only differs from the female in having the cly-
peus white, with two black dots, and the abdomen more convex
above. B.M.
This pretty little species is not uncommon, but rather local ;
during June and July it has occurred for many years at the side
of Bishop's Wood, Hampstead, frequenting the flowers of the
Germander Speedwell.
8. Andrena ferox.
A. nigra, pallide fulvo-villosa ; abdomine nitido; tibiis plantis-
que posticis fulvis.
Andrena ferox, Smith, Zool. v. 1670. 8 ^ .
Andrena distincta, Smith, Zool. v. 1744. 30 $ (nee Lucas, Expto.
Sc. Alger.}.
Female. Length 6 lines. Black : the face thinly clothed with
fulvous pubescence, the antennas nearly as long as the thorax :
the clypeus coarsely punctured, and having in the centre a lon-
gitudinal shining space. Thorax : the sides have a dense pale
D 5
58 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
fulvous pubescence, the disk nearly naked, having merely a few
scattered hairs ; the tegulae rufo-piceous, wings fulvo-hy aline,
faintly clouded at their extreme apical margins, the nervures
pale ferruginous ; the legs dark rufo-piceous, the posterior
tibiae and all the tarsi pale ferruginous and clothed with fulvous
pubescence, the floccus pale fulvous. Abdomen ovate, the
apical margins of the segments obscurely rufo-piceous; the
apical fimbria fusco-ferruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 4-4 i lines. Black ; head subquadrate, much
larger than the thorax, sometimes more than twice the size ;
the mandibles forcipate and armed at their base with an acute
spine ; the antennae as long as the thorax ; the wings subhya-
line, and faintly clouded at their apical margins, the nervures
pale rufo-testaceous ; the thorax has a little pale fulvous pubes-
cence at the sides ; the posterior tibiae, the anterior and inter-
mediate pairs at their apex, and the tarsi pale rufo-testaceous.
Abdomen lanceolate, the apical margin of the first, the basal
and apical margins of the second, and the basal margin of the
third segments, broadly rufo-testaceous ; the extreme apex has
a fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Var. a. The abdomen only having the apical margin of the first
and the basal and apical of the second segments rufo-testaceous.
The first specimens of this fine species were taken by Mr.
Desvignes at Windsor, who met with examples of both sexes,
but at that time was not aware that they belonged to the same
species ; since that time Mr. Walcott has discovered a new loca-
lity for it near Bristol, capturing both sexes and establishing
their identity ; the British Museum is indebted to that gentle-
man for a series of fine varieties.
Div. IT. The thorax densely pubescent, the abdomen naked,
smooth and shining ; without fascia of pale pubescence.
9. Andrena cineraria.
A. atra, albido-pubescens ; thorace hirsute fascia atra; abdomine
atro-caerulescenti nitido.
Apis cineraria, Linn. Faun.Suec. p. 420. 1688 ; Syst. Nat. i. 953. 5,
8f Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 329. 67.
Apis atra, Christ. Hym. p. 174. t. 14. f. 1.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 14.
Apis cinerea, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 144. 8.
Melitta cineraria, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 98. 47.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 69
Andrena cineraria, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 362. 1.
Fabr. Syst. Piez. 323. 5.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 117.51.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 238. 6.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 211. 6.
Smith, Zool v. 1735. 14.
Lucas, Explo. Sc.Alger. iii. 169. 58.
Female. Length 5-7 lines. Black; the face clothed with
white pubescence ; that on the thorax is white, having a black
band between the wings ; the wings subhyaline, their apical
margins having a dark fuscous cloud ; the pubescence of the
legs black, except the fringe on the anterior femora, which is
white ; abdomen blue-black, smooth and shining ; the apical
fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the head and thorax clothed
with white pubescence; the wings hyaline, their apical mar-
gins faintly clouded ; the femora fringed with w T hite pubescence.
Abdomen blue-black, lanceolate, and having the two basal seg-
ments clothed with white pubescence, most densely so at the
sides. B.M.
This elegant insect is found in all parts of the United Kingdom ;
it is an early species, usually appearing in April, but I once met
with the male in 1842 on the 22nd of March in the Battersea
Fields : it is fond of burrowing in trodden pathways, and is very
abundant in the walks in Hyde Park. In Yorkshire it is not
uncommon in the month of July.
10. Andrena pilipes.
A. aterrima glabra ; abdomine nitido ; tibiarum posticarum
scopa subtus alba, supra fusca.
Andrena pilipes, Fair. Spec. Ins. i. 474. 12 ? ; Mant. Ins. i. 298.13 ;
Ent. Syst. ii. 312. 21 ; Syst. Piez. 322. 2.
Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 98. 898.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. iii. p. 191. 17.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 236. 3.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 210. 4.
Apis atra, Schrank, Ins. Aust. p. 403. 814 ?
Apis carbonaria, Christ. Hym. p. 201. t. 17. f. 13.
Andrena aterrima, Panz. Faun. Germ. 64. 19.
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 363.3.
Melitta pilipes, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 96. 46 $ .
Melitta pratensis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 100. 48 $ .
Andrena pratensis, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 211. 5 $ $ .
Andrena nitida, Lucas, Explo. Sc. Alger. iii. 181. 86 $ ?
Andrena atra, Smith, Zool. v. 1734. 13.
60
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 6-7i lines. Black; the pubescence on the
head and thorax black ; the flagellum nigro-piceous beneath ;
the wings subfuscous and having a dark cloud at their apical
margins, the nervures ferruginous ; the floccus on the posterior
trochanters of a dirty- white, the scopa silvery- white beneath,
above fuscous. Abdomen ovate and shining, its apical fimbria
sooty-black. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Very closely resembles the other
sex, the pubescence on the thorax inclining to griseous ; the
abdomen ovate-lanceolate, shining, and having a little sooty
pubescence at the apex ; legs black ; the claws ferruginous.
B.M.
This very distinct species may be called the Kentish bee, from
the fact of our never having found it in any other county ; it
is very abundant in many parts of Kent : I have frequently met
with colonies constructing their burrows in perpendicular banks
of hard sand. This bee is very partial to thistle-heads, from
which it obtains a white pollen, and when loaded with this it
has a very strange appearance.
Both sexes vary considerably in the intensity of the colouring
of the wings. Mr. Kirby's M . pratensis is a dark winged male,
as will be seen on examining the authentic specimen in the Ca-
binet at the Entomological Society.
11. Andrena thoracica.
A. atra, villosa; thorace supra hirsuto-rufo.
Apis thoracica, Fair. Syst. Ent. p. 383. 31 $ ; Spec. Ins. i. 481.
40 ; Mant. Ins. i. 302. 45 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 328. 63.
Christ. Hym. p. 178. t. 14. f. 6 $ .
Apis bicolor, Christ. Hym. p. 178. t. 14. f . 6 ? .
Andrena bicolor, Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 97. 896.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 65. 19 $ .
Melitta thoracica, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 101. 49 ? .
Melitta melanocephala, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 103. 50, var. $ .
Andrena thoracica, Fair. Syst. Piez. p. 322. 3.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 120. 5.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 239. 7.
Smith, Zool. v. 1735. 15.
Female. Length 6-7i lines. Black ; the disk of the thorax
clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence; wings fusco-hyaline,
their apical margins having a dark fuscous cloud; the legs
have a black pubescence, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
61
ovate, shining and delicately punctured, the apical fimbria
fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 5^-6 lines. Black; altogether closely resem-
bling the other sex; abdomen elongate ovate. B.M.
This bee usually appears about the end of May; it is an
abundant insect in may parts of Kent, and is seldom found out
of that county. It occurs at Hawley in Hampshire : burrows,
like >A.pilipes, frequents thistle heads, and appears to prefer hard
sand banks in which to form its nidus.
In diiferent individuals the wings will be found to vary consi-
derably in the depth of colouring ; Kirby's M. melanocephala is
only a large specimen of the male, in fine fresh condition.
12. Andrena nitida.
J.nigra nitidiuscula ; thorace hirtissimo rufo-fulvo; scopis supra
fuscis, subtus griseo-albis, abdomine apice fusco-fimbriato.
Apis nitida, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 104. 51.
Melitta nitida, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 104. 51.
Andrena nitida, Spin. Ins, Lig. fasc. i. p. 122. 8.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 237. 5.
Smith, Zool. v. 1736. 16.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 253. 10 (nee Fair. Panz.).
Andrena consimilis, Smith, Zool. v. 1736. 17 (var. $ ).
Female. Length 5 J-6^ lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
clypeus griseous, that on the face and vertex fuscous ; the
thorax clothed above with fulvous pubescence ; beneath, as well
as the fringe on the femora and floccus on the posterior tro-
chanters, white ; the scopa silvery-white beneath, dark fuscous
above ; all the legs have a similar fuscous pubescence above ;
the wings subhy aline, their apical margins having a fuscous
cloud, the nervures ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, shining and
very delicately punctured, the second and third segments have
on each side on their basal margins a patch of white pubescence ;
sometimes the fourth has a similar spot ; the apical fimbria
fuscous; beneath, the margins of the segments fringed with
white pubescence. B.M.
Var. a. The legs nigro-piceous ; the posterior tibiae and all the
tarsi ferruginous, the scopa pale fulvous, the apical fimbria of
the abdomen fulvous.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Very closely resembling the female,
the pubescence on the face whiter, and the apical joints of
flagellum slightly testaceous ; thorax as in the female ; abdo-
62 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
men more elongate, and having a griseous pubescence on each
side towards the base, and a little rufo-fuscous pubescence at
the apex. B.M.
This very marked species appears to be generally distributed ;
it is one of the early spring bees. The females prefer the flowers
of the common Dandelion, in which they cover themselves with
pollen. Var. a. was formerly considered to be a separate species,
but observation has proved that it is only an extreme variety.
13. Andrena vitrea.
A. atra, subvillosa; thorace pallido-villoso ; scopa fulva.
Andrena vitrea, Smith, Zool v. 1737. 18 ? .
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the face
fuscous, intermixed with a few fulvous hairs ; the thorax thinly
clothed above with fulvous pubescence, beneath and on the
femora it is paler ; the wings fulvo-hy aline, the nervures pale
ferruginous ; the scopa fulvous, the floccus pale fulvous ; the
legs otherwise have a fuscous pubescence above, that on the
tarsi beneath dark ferruginous, the claws ferruginous. Abdo-
men ovate, smooth and shining, the apical fimbria black ; be-
neath, the second segment has a rufous spot, sometimes the
entire sides are rufous.
Of this very distinct species there is a fine series in Mr. Des-
vignes' collection ; their precise locality is not known, but pro-
bably they came from the neighbourhood of Windsor.
14. Andrena albicans.
A. nigra, albicanti-subvillosa ; thorace anoque ferrugineis ; tibiis
posticis fulvis.
Melitta albicans, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 94. 45 $ y .
Andrena albicans, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 242. 10.
Smith, Zool. v. 1734. 12.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 215. 11.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black; the face clothed with gri-
seous pubescence, thinly on the clypeus, which is coarsely punc-
tured and has a longitudinal smooth line down the centre.
Thorax clothed above with ferruginous pubescence, on the
sides and beneath it is pallid ; the wings hyaline, their apical
margins slightly clouded ; the posterior tibiae and tarsi fulvous ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 63
the claws ferruginous ; the floccus pale, the scopa pale ful-
vous. Abdomen ovate, shining and finely punctured, at the
sides is a little scattered griseous pubescence ; the apical fimbria
fulvous. B,M.
Male. Length 4-4J lines. Resembling the other sex, differing
in having a pale fulvous pubescence on the face ; the tegulse
rufo-piceous ; the posterior tibiae and tarsi rufo-testaceous,
the former having a dark stain about the middle beneath ; the
intermediate tarsi and the apical joints of the anterior pair,
rufo-testaceous ; the abdomen covered with a short, pale, downy
pile, its apex fulvous. B.M.
This is the most abundant and universally distributed species
of the genus ; it is not only found in all parts of the United
Kingdom, but throughout Europe; examples having been re-
ceived from France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Lap-
land and Siberia. Sir John Richardson brought specimens from
the Arctic regions, south of Lake Winnepeg. Thus the geo-
graphical range of one of our most abundant species invests it
with an interest which many of its more rare congeners do not
possess. It is also one of the earliest bees which enliven the
first sunny days of spring.
15. Andrena similis.
A. nigra, cinerascenti-villosa ; facie antice albo-barbata ; tibiis
posticis apice tarsisque testaceis.
Andrena similis, Smith. Zool. vii. Append. Ix.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face and cheeks clothed
with long white pubescence, that on the thorax above fulvo-
ochraceous ; the femora fringed with long white pubescence ;
the tegulae rufo-piceous, wings hyaline, iridescent and faintly
clouded at their apical margins, the nervures pale ferruginous ;
the posterior tibiae and the tarsi rufo-piceous, the former having
a black stain beneath, nearly extending to their apex ; the
claws ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, shining, delicately punc-
tured, and having a thinly scattered short griseous pubescence,
the apex fulvous ; beneath, the margins of the segments have
a narrow white fringe. B.M.
This male closely resembles that of A. albicans, but in the
finest condition the face is clothed with white, in A. albicans it
is pale fulvous ; the pubescence generally is more inclining to
cinereous, the abdomen much more finely punctured, and the
64 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
second submarginal cell is less narrowed towards the marginal
than in A. albicans. Some of these differences may appear
slight, but it is slight differences alone which distinguish the
males of many very distinct species of this genus. The Museum
is indebted to Mr. Walcott for specimens of this species captured
near Bristol.
Div. III. The thorax and abdomen densely covered with
pubescence.
16. Andrena fulva.
A. atra; thorace abdomineque supra hirsutis, fulvo-aureis,
subtus nigris.
Apis fulva, SchranJc, Ins. Aust. p. 400. 805 ? .
Apis vestita, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 329. 65.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 9.
Apis vulpina, Christ. Hym. p. 161. t. 12. f. 15.
Melitta fulva, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 128. 68 ? .
Melitta armata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 121. 64 $ .
Andrena vestita, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 362. 2 $ .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 323. 4.
Coqueb. Illus. Sc. Im. p. 25. t. 6. f. 7.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. ii. 191. 4.
Andrena fulva, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 245. 14 ? .
Smith, Zool. v. 1746. 35 <J $ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 214. 10 $ ; Revis. Ap. Boreal. 252. 8 <J $ .
Lucas, Explo. Sc. Alger. iii. 180. 81.
Female. Length 5^-6^ lines. The pubescence of the thorax
above fulvo-ferruginous, that of the abdomen above bright
fulvous ; the pubescence on the body beneath, legs, and head,
black ; the wings hyaline, their apical margins faintly clouded,
the nervures ferruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5^ lines. Black ; the head as wide, sometimes
much wider than the thorax ; the clypeus has some long silvery
white pubescence, above which it is slightly fulvous ; the man-
dibles elongate, arcuate, and armed at their base with a short
acute tooth. Thorax : above clothed with fulvo-ferruginous
pubescence ; the legs have a fulvous pubescence ; the posterior
tarsi, and apical joints of the anterior and intermediate pairs,
ferruginous; wings as in the other sex. The abdomen ovate
lanceolate, the two basal segments thinly clothed with long
fulvous pubescence, the apical margins of the following seg-
ments have a long fringe of the same colour. B.M.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 65
The female of this species is the most beautiful in the genus,,
and is a most abundant insect ; usually appearing with the apple
blossoms, to which it delights to resort ; it is particularly abun-
dant on Hampstead Heath, where in 1840 I captured several
pairs in coitu ; since which time I have on more than one occa-
sion detected them in company. The male is so unlike the
female, that nothing short of such an observation, except find-
ing them in their burrows, could lead any one to suppose that
they belonged to the same species. The best time for making
such observations appears to be between nine and eleven on fine
quiet sunny mornings. The beautiful colouring of "fulva " soon
fades by exposure to the sun ; it is therefore necessary to watch
for their first appearance : the female fades to a pale yellow, and
is subject to have the pubescence rubbed off ; whilst the male
becomes entirely of a hoary grey. No examples of this species
have been received from Scotland, but it will probably be found
there, as it is met with both in Denmark and Sweden.
17. Andrena Clarkella.
^4.atra, hirsuta; thorace pedibusque posticis fulvis.
Melitta Clarkella, Kirly, Mon. Ap. Angl. iL 130. 69 ? .
Andrena dispar, Zett. Ins. Lapp. 460. 2.
Andrena bicolor, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 243. 12 (nee Fabr.).
Lucas, Explo. Sc. Alger. iii. 180. 82 ?
Andrena Clarkella, Smith, Zool v. 1747. 36 $ ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 212. 7 ? .
Female. Length 5-6^ lines. Black ; the pubescence black,
excepting that on the disk of the thorax, posterior tibise and
tarsi, and a little at the base of the abdomen, which is fulvous ;
the wings subhyaline, their apical margins slightly clouded,
the nervures ferruginous ; the posterior tibiae and tarsi fulvo-
piceous; the intermediate tarsi fulvous beneath. Abdomen
ovate, entirely black. B.M.
Var. a. The two basal segments fringed with fulvous pubes-
cence.
Var. /3. All the abdominal segments fringed with fulvous pubes-
cence.
Male. Length 4^-5 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
clypeus pale fulvous, above which, as well as along the sides of
the face, it is black ; the disk of the thorax clothed with fulvo-
ochraceous pubescence ; on the metathorax and beneath it is
pale fulvous ; the wings hyaline, iridescent and faintly clouded
66
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
at their apical margins, the nervures pale ferruginous ; the legs
have a pale fulvous pubescence ; the apex of the posterior tibiae
more or less pale testaceous within. Abdomen ovate-lanceo-
late, shining, and thinly clothed with long pale fulvo-ochraceous
pubescence, the extreme apex pale testaceous. B.M.
In the Catalogue of British Hymenoptera, the name " bi-
color " of Fabricius was adopted for this species, St. Fargeau and
Lucas having done so ; but I feel great pleasure in being able
to retain that of Clarkella, particularly as Mr. Kirby named it
in honour of Mr. Bracy Clark. Dr. Nylander having seen a
typical specimen of the A. bicolor of Fabricius in Sehestedt's
Museum, states that it is the insect named A. (Estiva, and which
Mr. Kirby had included in M. Gwynana, probably considering it
a mere variety. On referring to the first description of A. bicolor
in the ' Systema Entomologiae/ we find that Fabricius says,
" affinis et succinctce, at abdomen immaculatum ; " in all his
subsequent works, the ' Entomologia Systematica ' excepted, he
has omitted this observation ; from which it appears that A.
Clarkella has no relation to the species described as A. bicolor.
But Dr. Nylander has set the matter at rest.
No bee is known which has a wider geographical range than
A. Clarkella ; it is found in all parts of the United Kingdom,
apparently preferring elevated situations; it occurs in France,
Germany, Lapland, Finland, Denmark and Sweden ; it has also
been found in Algeria, and there is a series of specimens in the
British Museum from Nova Scotia.
This bee is usually the first which appears in spring ; as early
as the 4th of March in 1849, but the weather that season was
unusually mild ; the general time for its appearance is about the
third week of March. I have frequently dug both sexes out of
the same burrow, and have more than once observed the sexes
in coitu, first in 1840. Males are sometimes captured in spring
before the snow has quite disappeared.
The female is subject to vary : the second variety is the colour
of most of the specimens from Nova Scotia, and appears to be
the common northern form of the species.
All the specimens received from Scotland belong to this latter
variety.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 67
Div. IV. Species having a fringe of long pale pubescence on
the apical margins of the segments.
18. Andrena Gwynana.
A. atra, villosa; thorace, abdomine antice, scopaque tibiarum
posticarum ferrugineis.
Melitta Gwynana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 120. 60.
Melitta pilosula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 164. 65.
Andrena Gwynana, Smith. Zool. v. 1742. 27.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 213. 8.
Female. Length 5-5i lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
head black ; the thorax above clothed with ferruginous pubes-
cence ; the wings subhyaline, their apical margins slightly
clouded, the nervures ferruginous ; the floccus pale ferruginous,
the scopa fulvous. Abdomen subovate, the pubescence on
the three basal segments ferruginous, their apical margins
having a long fringe of the same colour ; the apical fimbria
sooty-black. B.M.
Male. Length 4-4 lines. The face clothed with a long dense
black pubescence ; the antennae rather shorter than the thorax,
which has a dull, pale ferruginous pubescence ; the wings sub-
hyaline, iridescent, and slightly clouded at their apical mar-
gins ; the legs fusco-ferruginous, and having a thin pale ferru-
ginous pubescence ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous.
Abdomen ovate-lanceolate and having a scattered pale ferru-
ginous pubescence. B.M.
This is not at all an uncommon species, but must be looked
for early in the season ;, it appears about the end of March.
Specimens have been received from Scotland.
19. Andrena tricolor.
A. atra, villosa ; thorace, abdominis segmentis primis tribus parce
rufo-hirtis ; tibiis posticis runs, scopa fulva.
Andrena bicolor, Fair. Syst. Eni. p. 376. 4 ; Spec. Ins. i. 473. 6 ;
Mant. Ins. i. 298. 7 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 310. 12 ; Syst. Piez. p. 326. 22.
Nyland. Rev is. Ap. Boreal. 253. 11.
Andrena sestiva, Smith, Zool. vii. Append, p. 60.
68 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black; the face clothed with
brown pubescence, the antennae nigro-piceous beneath ; the
thorax has a pale ferruginous pubescence above as well as be-
neath ; wings subhyaline, their nervures ferruginous ; the legs
fusco-ferruginous, the posterior tibiae and the tarsi ferruginous ;
the floccus pale fulvous ; the scopa fulvous, having a golden
lustre ; the abdomen ovate, finely punctured ; the margins of
the basal segments thinly fringed with pale fulvous pubescence ;
the apical fimbria sooty-black ; the margins of the segments
beneath have a pale fringe. B.M.
This insect, although resembling A. Gwynana, is distinct : the
legs are of a different colour, the abdomen is punctured, and it
is usually met with in June : in the Kirbian collection it stands
along with A. Gwynana. The male is not known, probably it
may be A. pilosula of Kirby.
20. Andrena helvola.
A. nigra; thorace, abdominisque basi fulvo-rufis, hirtis ; tibia-
rum posticarum scopa flavescenti.
Apis helvola, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 421. 1693 ? ; Syst. Nat. i. 955.
16, <$* Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 310. 11 ; Syst. Piez. p. 326. 21.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 122. 9.
Melitta helvola, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 119. 59. t. 15. f . 9 $ .
Melitta angulosa, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 127. 67 $ .
Andrena helvola, Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 97. 895.
Smith, Zool. v. 1742. 26 c? ? .
Nyland. Supp. Ap. Boreal, p. 99 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 254.
16.
Female. Length 5-5^ lines. Black; the pubescence on the
clypeus pale fulvous, above and on the sides of the face it is
fuscous; the mandibles ferruginous at their apex. Thorax
clothed above with rufo-fulvous pubescence, at the sides and
beneath it is griseous ; the wings hyaline, their apical margins
faintly clouded, the tegulae and nervures ferruginous; the
femora beneath fringed with white pubescence, the floccus
white, the scopa pale fulvous, the apical joints of the tarsi fer-
ruginous. Abdomen subovate, the pubescence at the base ful-
vous, beyond which it is cinereous; beneath, the margins
fringed with cinereous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 5-51 lines. Black; the head wider than the
thorax, subquadrate ; the clypeus covered with long white pu-
bescence, at the insertion of the antennae it is pale fulvous ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 69
the antennae nearly as long as the thorax ; the mandibles forci-
pate, subdentate at their base. Thorax thinly clothed above
with rufo-fulvous pubescence ; the wings hyaline, iridescent,
faintly clouded at their apex, the nervures ferruginous, tegulse
rufo-piceous ; the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen shining, ovate-
lanceolate, fulvous at the apex. B.M.
This species appears to be rather local ; it is not uncommon
near London about the end of April and the beginning of May ;
it is plentiful at the upper end of Millfield lane, by the side
of Caen Wood. The colour of this species soon fades ; the pu-
bescence when first developed is a rich fulvous at the base of
the abdomen, which contrasts very pleasingly with the silvery
hue of the other parts. The male is the M. angulosa of Kirby,
which soon becomes entirely hoary by exposure.
21. Andrena varians.
A . atra ; thorace abdominiaque basi hirsuto-fulvis ; tibiarum
posticarum scopa versicolori.
Apis varians, Rossi, Mant. no. 317.
Panz.Faun. Germ. 56. 12.
Melitta varians, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 117. 58.
Andrena varians, Smith, Zool. v. 1741. 25.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 253. 13.
Female. Length 5~5 lines. Black; the pubescence on the
head black, that on the clypeus brown. The thorax above
clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence ; beneath and on the
femora it is pale fulvous ; the wings subhyaline, their apical
margins slightly clouded, the nervures ferruginous ; the floccus
cinereous ; the scopa fuscous above, and of a silvery whiteness
beneath. Abdomen ovate, the pubescence at the base fulvous,
posteriorly it is black ; beneath, the segments margined with
white pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Head wider than the thorax, the
clypeus bearded with white pubescence, above it is pale fulvous ;
the mandibles forcipate, subdentate at their base ; antennas as
long as the thorax. Thorax thinly clothed with rufo-fulvous
pubescence. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, having at its base a
patch of fulvous pubescence ; the apex fulvous. B.M.
There are some doubts of this being a distinct species from
A. helvola ; if specimens be examined agreeing with the descrip-
tions, they will appear so undoubtedly, but on examining a series
of varieties they commingle so gradually, that it is difficult to
70 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
say where the line is to be drawn which separates them ; if the
colour of the scopa alone is to be considered a good specific
distinction, there will be no difficulty : but there are varieties
of varians having the abdomen coloured as in helvola, the fringe
on the ventral segments being white, whilst the scopa is fuscous
above and white beneath. The male described as that of varians
was taken in coitu ; it is extremely like that of helvola, but its
head above is not so quadrate, and its mandibles are subdentate.
The species is retained with some hesitation ; it is not rare in
the London district during April and May, and is widely dis-
tributed.
22. Andrena atriceps.
A. nigra, griseo-pubescens ; thorace rufescenti ; tibiis posticis
fulvis, scopa fulvo-aurea.
Melitta atriceps, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 114. 55 $ .
Melitta tibialis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 107. 52 $ .
Andrena tibialis, Smith, Zool. v. 1737. 19 <J ? .
Female. Length 6-7i lines. Black; the clypeus and cheeks
clothed with cinereous pubescence ; at, and above the insertion
of the antennae it is slightly fulvous. Thorax clothed above
with rufo-fulvous pubescence, at the sides and beneath it is
griseous ; the tegulae rufo-piceous, the wings subhyaline, ha-
ving frequently a fulvous tinge ; their apical margins faintly
clouded ; the fringe on the femora and the floccus white ; the
posterior tibiae and the tarsi rufo-fulvous, the scopa bright ful-
vous. Abdomen subovate, the apical margins of the segments
depressed, shining, covered with a short griseous pubescence,
and having a fringe of the same colour on the apical margins
of the segments ; the apical fimbria fuscous ; beneath, the
margins are ciliated with white. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the face clothed with black
or dark brown pubescence, the cheeks have a long beard of
pale fulvous pubescence ; the antenna? nearly as long as the
thorax, the joints of the flagellum subarcuate, the thorax has
a rufo-fulvous pubescence ; the wings as in the other sex ; the
tarsi and the apex of the posterior tibiae rufo- testaceous. Ab-
domen ovate-lanceolate, shining, and thinly sprinkled with pale
fulvous pubescence, the segments having a thin fringe of the
same colour ; the apex fulvous. B.M.
Var. a. The posterior tibiae rufous half their length, sometimes
almost entirely rufous.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Having on several occasions captured the sexes in coitu, there
can be no hesitation in uniting these insects. The species is
extremely abundant, and is found in all parts of the kingdom.
It usually makes its appearance in the beginning of April ; males
are sometimes taken at the latter end of March.
23. Andrena Mouffetella.
A. .nigra, pallido-pubescens ; abdomine piloso, nigro-aeneo ;
thorace rufescenti- piloso ; tibiis posticis runs.
Melitta Mouffetella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 108. 53.
Andrena Mouffetella, Smith, Zool. v. 1738. 20.
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the face clothed with
griseous pubescence, intermixed with fulvous, that on the
cheeks white. Thorax : above, the pubescence is rufo-fulvous,
at the sides and beneath white ; the wings hyaline, their apical
margins faintly clouded, the nervures pale testaceous ; the
legs have a pale rufous pubescence, the fringe on the femora
and the floccus white ; the posterior tibiae, the apical joints of
the anterior tarsi, and the intermediate and posterior pairs ru-
fous, the scopa fulvous. Abdomen nigro- aeneous, subovate,
very convex, thinly" covered with short, pale, fulvous pubes-
cence, the apical margins of the segments having a fringe of
the same colour.
Male. Length 5 lines. The face has a brown pubescence, the
antennae as long as the thorax, the joints subarcuate. Thorax :
above having a pale fulvous pubescence ; the wings as in the
female ; all the tarsi and the posterior tibiae ferruginous. Ab-
domen ovate-lanceolate, having a dense pale fulvous pubes-
cence.
This species is rare : a specimen was captured on Holdershot
Heath, near Farnborough, in 1849. It resembles A. atriceps,
but the female as well as the male are much more pubescent ;
the abdomen being densely covered with short pale pubescence
has a nigro-aeneous tinge ; it may be known from atriceps by
not having the apical margins of the abdomen depressed.
24. Andrena nigro-aenea.
A. nigra, fulvo-pubescens ; capite anoque atris; abdomine sub-
hirsute, nigro-aeneo.
Melitta nigro-33nea, Kirby, ii. 109. 54 $ .
Sowerby, Brit. Miscel. i. 77. t. 38.
Andrena nigro-aenea, Smith. Zool. \. 1739. 2 $ <j> .
72 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 6-6^ lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
face dark brown,, above the insertion of the antennae and at the
sides it is black; on the cheeks, margin of the vertex and
thorax above the pubescence is fulvous ; on the sides and on
the femora it is paler; the scopa bright fulvous, the pubes-
cence on the tarsi dark fuscous ; the wings subhyaline, their
nervures rufo-testaceous. Abdomen nigro-aeneous, ovate, and
thinly clothed with fulvous pubescence ; the margins have a
fringe of the same colour; the apical fimbria black. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines, The face clothed with reddish brown
pubescence ; the antennae not quite so long as the thorax, the
joints subarcuate ; the legs and thorax have a fulvous pubes-
cence, not so bright as in the female; the abdomen nigro-
aeneous, ovate, and thinly covered with fulvous pubescence ;
towards the apex it is black. B.M.
This species is very abundant in the London district ; whether
it occurs in the north of England is not known, but it has been
received from Ireland ; it appears in April, and may be frequently
captured on the Dandelion. To the entomologist, this bee will
always possess an additional interest, from the fact of its being
the species on which Kirby first observed the Stylops Melittce ;
it is remarkable that amongst the number of species which I
have captured attacked by Stylops, I never found A. nigro-anea
infested by the parasite.
25. Andrena Trimmerana.
A. nigra, griseo-rufescenti-pubescens ; tibiis posticis versicolo-
ribus.
Melitta Trimmerana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 116. 57 $ .
Audrena Trimmerana, Smith, Zool. v. 1740. 23 $ $ .
Nyland. Revis.Ap. Boreal, p. 252. 9.
Female. Length 5^-6 lines. Black; the face clothed with
dark brown pubescence, at the sides and above the insertion of
the antennae it is black ; the antennae half the length of the
thorax, which is clothed above with rufo-fulvous pubescence ;
the wings hyaline, their apical margins slightly clouded ; the
legs have a fuscous pubescence above, the femora fringed with
pale fulvous ; the noccus, and the scopa beneath glittering
silvery-white, the latter dark fuscous above, the apical joints of
the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, thinly covered with
pale fulvous pubescence, the apical fimbria black, or dark
brown ; the margins of the segments beneath testaceous and
thinly fringed with pale pubescence. B.M.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 73
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The head wider than the thorax ; the
mandibles forcipate and having a minute tooth at their base,
the tips ferruginous; the face has a reddish-brown pubes-
cence at the sides, intermixed with black above the clypeus :
the antennae as long as the thorax, the joints of the flagellum
arcuate. Thorax shining, the pubescence on the disk sparing,
rufo-fulvous, at the sides and beneath much paler, as well as
that on the legs : the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-testaceous.
Abdomen shining, lanceolate, and having a tuft of pale ferru-
ginous pubescence on the basal segment, the margins of the
two first segments usually slightly depressed, a thin pubes-
cence is scattered over the abdomen, particularly at the sides,
the apex rufo-testaceous and having a little fulvous pubes-
cence. . B.M.
This species has several striking specific characteristics ; the
female is distinguished by its unusually long antennae, and by
its scopa being black above, and silvery beneath ; the male also
has its antennae more elongate than usual, and has a tuft of pu-
bescence at the base of the abdomen, like the male of A. fulva :
its face has dark pubescence, that of fulva is white, and the
tooth, usually found at the base of its mandibles beneath, is
much shorter than in fulva, sometimes reduced to a sharp angle.
This bee is very abundant near London, particularly on
Hampstead Heath : it is frequently infested by Stylops Melitta,
of which I have twice succeeded in obtaining a male from it,
and have kept the Andrena from three to four weeks alive by
supplying it daily with fresh flowers ; by these means the male
Stylops may be obtained, or the female may be observed pro-
ducing a multitudinous host of larvae.
This species has been received from Ireland ; it appears to be
generally distributed. Specimens from Scotland have the pu-
bescence much darker coloured, that on the scopa of the female
above, and also that on the face of the male, is black. This
variety is from Loch Rannoch, Perthshire.
26, Andrena conjuncta.
A. nigra, thorace rufescenti-piloso ; tibiis posticis rufo-testaceis,
scopa fulvo-aurea.
Andrena conjuncta, Smith, Zool. v. 1744. 31.
Female. Length 5^ lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
dark fulvo-ferruginous pubescence; the clypeus and thorax
above strongly punctured ; the metathorax has at its base a
74 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
rugose space, enclosed by a sharp ridge; the antennae have
the flagellum nigro-piceous towards the apex beneath, and
are half the length of the thorax ; the thorax thinly clothed
above with short fulvous pubescence, at the sides it is shorter
and paler ; the pubescence on the femora beneath and also the
floccus, pale fulvous ; the scopa bright fulvous ; the tarsi be-
neath fulvo-ferruginous, the apical joints of the tarsi ferru-
ginous ; wings hyaline, their nervures pale rufo-testaceous.
Abdomen ovate, shining and rather strongly punctured; the
margins of the segments depressed, and having a thin sparing
fringe of pale fulvous pubescence ; the apical fimbria fusco-fer-
ruginous.
This insect might be mistaken for a small example of A. atri-
ceps, female ; but the description will at once point out the dif-
ference. A single specimen has been captured near Coliiey
Hatch : there are one or two in the collection of Mr. Desvignes,
who does not know their locality.
27. Andrena spinigera.
A. atra, fulvo-pilosa ; thorace fulvescenti ; abdomine fusco ; pe-
dibus rufo-fuscis, pilosis.
Melitta spinigera, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 123. 63<.
Andrena spinigera, Smith, Zool. v. 1669. 7 < 9
Female. Length 5^6 lines. Black ; the face and cheeks thinly
clothed with fulvous pubescence, the apical half of the man-
dibles ferruginous. Thorax thinly clothed above with fulvous
pubescence; the metathorax and sides have pubescence of a
lighter tint ; wings hyaline, the nervures pale ferruginous, the
tegulse rufo-piceous ; the legs dark rufo-testaceous, their pu-
bescence fulvous ; the floccus and scopa beneath fulvous, the
latter fuscous above. Abdomen : the apical margins of the two
basal segments rufo-testaceous ; two minute dots of the same
colour on the basal segment ; the abdomen has a scattered ful-
vous pubescence ; beneath, ferruginous at the base.
Male. Length 5-5^ lines. Black ; the pubescence pale fulvous ;
head usually much wider than the thorax, the face densely
clothed with black pubescence ; the mandibles forcipate, and
armed at their base with a long acute spine, their tips ferru-
ginous ; antennae about the length of the thorax, the joints of
the flagellum subarcuate. Thorax : the wings hyaline and iri-
descent, the nervures pale ferruginous ; legs fusco-ferruginous,
the apical joints of the tarsi paler. Abdomen lanceolate, shining,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. /O
and having a scattered pale fulvous pubescence, the margins of
the segments rufo-testaceous. B.M.
I feel pretty sure that I am correct in assigning the female
described to A. spinigera ; they were found at the same time
and in the same locality. The female closely resembles A.
Trimmerana, but the different colour of their scopse distin-
guishes them at once. Mr. Kirby describes his insect as a fe-
male ; this is an oversight. The species is very local, and appa-
rently not very numerous ; it occurs however in the neighbour-
hood of Highgate, and has also been captured in Epping and
Hainault Forests, and in the New Forest, Hampshire.
28. Andrena picicornis.
A. nigra, grisescenti-subvillosa ; capite atro; antennis piceis;
abdomine fusco.
Melitta picicornis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 123. 62.
Andrena picicornis, Smith, Zool. v. 1745. 33.
Female. Length 5^-6 lines. Black ; the face clothed with black
pubescence, that on the margin of the clypeus is obscure ful-
vous ; the flagellum rufo-piceous. Thorax thinly clothed with
obscure fulvo-ochraceous pubescence, paler on the metathorax
and on the sides; the wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures pale
ferruginous ; the legs rufo-testaceous, having a pale fulvous
pubescence beneath, the floccus of the same colour ; the scopa
fulvous ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous, their pubes-
cence beneath ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, fuscous, shining,
and having a scattered pale fulvous pubescence, the margins of
the segments rufo-testaceous ; the apical fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 5 lines. Very closely resembling the female,
but more elongate, the face clothed with ferruginous pubes-
cence ; the antennae shorter than the thorax, the joints of the
flagellum subarcuate ; the legs rufo-piceous, the posterior tibiae
and the tarsi rufo-fulvous, their pubescence fulvous. Abdomen
elongate-ovate, shining, the margins of the segments obscurely
rufo-testaceous, those of the three basal segments have a spa-
ring pale fringe, on the fourth and fifth it is longer and more
dense, the pubescence on the two apical segments fuscous,
mixed with a few fulvous hairs at the apex.
This appears to be a very local species. Mr. Walcott cap-
tured it near Brighton ; all the examples which I have seen
E2
76 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
have been attacked by Stylops : of two males and one female,
the latter has a female Stylops in its abdomen ; one of the former
has the marks of two males having escaped from it, the other
appears to have had but one. Some species of Andrena appear
to be always attacked, others occasionally, whilst a few appear
to escape entirely.
29. Andrena bimaculata.
A. nigra, rufescenti-villosa ; capite atro ; ventre basi utrinque
macula rufa notato.
Melitta bimaculata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 115. 56.
Andrena bimaculata, Smith, Zool. v. 1739. 22.
Male. Length 5^ lines. Black ; the pubescence of the head
black, brownish on the clypeus : antennae nearly as long as the
thorax, the joints of the flagellum subarcuate. Thorax : above
clothed with obscure ferruginous pubescence, on the sides and
beneath it is paler ; wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their
apical margins, the nervures pale ferruginous. Abdomen
ovate-lanceolate, the margins of the segments obscurely testa-
ceous ; thinly covered with pale ferruginous pubescence ; be-
neath, the second segment has two red spots. B.M.
This male most closely resembles that of A. Trimmer ana, but
is certainly distinct ; it has no tooth at the base of the mandibles.
Only two specimens are known, the typical one, and that in the
British Museum.
30. Andrena Smithella.
A. nigra, grisescenti-subhirsuta ; thorace abdomineque hirsuto-
fulvescentibus ; segmentorum marginibus pallidis.
Melitta Smithella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 131. 70.
Andrena Smithella, Smith, Zool. v. 1748. 37.
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black; the pubescence on the face
pale fulvous, a few scattered black hairs on the vertex. Thorax :
above, clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence : the tegul^e nigro-
piceous, the wings hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical mar-
gins, the nervures ferruginous ; the legs have a pale fulvous
pubescence, the floccus and scopa beneath bright pale fulvous,
having in certain lights a silvery hue ; above, slightly fuscous.
Abdomen ovate, slightly depressed, the segments having, except
at their base, a long, suberect, pale fulvous pubescence ; the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 77
margins of the segments obscurely testaceous ; the apical
fimbria ferruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 3i lines. Black; the head subquadrate, the
margin of the vertex deeply emarginate ; the mandibles at their
base, beneath, having a large angular tooth ; the face and cheeks
thinly clothed with long cinereous pubescence ; the joints of
the antennae subarcuate. The thorax and legs thinly covered
with long cinereous pubescence ; the wings hyaline, their ner-
vures pale rufo-testaceous ; the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-
testaceous. Abdomen oblong-ovate, shining, the apical margins
of the segments obscurely rufo-piceous. B.M.
This is a rare species and extremely local ; it has been once
or twice met with at Wey bridge. A. Smithella resembles A.
Lapponica, but if the abdomen be viewed sideways, the yellow
pubescence will be seen to form suberect bands, the base of the
segments being naked. Mr. Grant captured both sexes at Wim-
bledon Common, in April 1854.
31. Andrena Lapponica.
Anigra, fulvescenti-subpilosa ; thorace abdominisque basi ful-
vescentibus.
Andrena Lapponica, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 460. 4.
Andrena apicata, Smith, Zool. v. 1748. 38.
Female. Length 5-5i lines. Black; the pubescence on the
clypeus obscure fulvous, at the sides and on the vertex it is
black ; the antennae nigro-piceous beneath. Thorax : the pu-
bescence on the disk fulvo-ferruginous, at the sides and on the
metathorax pale fulvous ; the tegulae fulvo-piceous, the wings
hyaline, slightly clouded on their apical margins, the nervures
ferruginous ; the pubescence on the legs beneath, pale fulvous,
above, slightly fuscous; the floccus dense and pale fulvous;
the tarsi beneath ferruginous; the scopa bright fulvous be-
neath. Abdomen ovate and densely pubescent towards the
base ; the pubescence fulvous ; towards, and at the apex it is
black. B.M.
Male. Length 3i-4i lines. The pubescence on the clypeus
pale fulvous, at the sides and above it is dark fuscous, or black ;
at the sides of the head it is black, but pale on the cheeks be-
neath ; the mandibles forcipate, and armed at their base with a
short acute tooth, tips of the mandibles ferruginous ; the pu-
bescence on the thorax pale fulvous, somewhat obscure on the
78 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
disk ; the legs fusco-ferruginous, the tarsi palest, the wings as
in the other sex. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, shining, and
pubescent towards the base, beyond the second segment nearly
naked, the apical fimbria fulvous ; beneath, the margins have a
narrow fringe of pale fulvous pubescence. B.M.
The first specimens of this insect were taken by the Rev. W.
Little in Scotland. I was not aware at that time that the species
had been described by Zetterstedt, and therefore gave it another
name. Mr. Walcott has taken both sexes in the neighbourhood
of Bristol ; it has not occurred near London.
32. Andrena nigriceps.
A. atra; thorace fulvo; abdomine fasciis quatuor villoso-ru-
fescentibus.
Melitta nigriceps, Kirby, Hon. Ap. Angl. ii. 134. 73 (nee 3* ).
Andrena nigriceps, Smith, ZooL v. 1749. 40.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black; the pubescence on the head
black ; on the posterior margin of the vertex a thin fringe of ful-
vous pubescence ; the flagellum nigro-piceous beneath. Tho-
rax densely clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence, paler on
the metathorax and sides ; the tegulae ferruginous, the wings
hyaline, their apical margins faintly clouded, the nervures fer-
ruginous ; the legs have a black pubescence. Abdomen ovate,
subdepressed, the four basal segments with a broad fascia of
fulvous pubescence, that on the fifth and apical segment is
black. B.M.
This species appears to be extremely local or rare. Mr. Dale
captured two or three at Bournemouth a few years ago ; there
is also a specimen in the British Museum. It is a very marked
and beautiful insect, very closely resembling A. simillima.
33. Andrena simillima.
A. atra; capite pallido-villoso ; thorace fulvo, abdomine fasciis
quatuor fulvescentibus.
Andrena siraillima, Smith, Cat. Brit. Hym. Append, p. 122.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the face
pale fulvous, that on the vertex bright fulvous ; one or two of
the apical joints of the flagellum piceous beneath ; the clypeus
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 79
coarsely punctured ; the disk of the thorax clothed with bright
fulvous pubescence, on the metathorax and sides it is paler ;
the wings hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical margins, the
nervures ferruginous; the femora fringed with pale pubes-
cence, the floccus white, the scopa fuscous ; the calcaria pale
testaceous* the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdo-
men oblong-ovate, with a little fulvous pubescence at the base ;
the three following segments have a broad fascia of pale fulvous
pubescence; the pubescence on the two apical segments black.
B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face clothed with pale pu-
bescence, on the clypeus anteriorly it is white, the anterior
margin of the clypeus emarginate, and produced at the lateral
angles into a sharp tooth ; the labrum bidentate ; the mandi-
bles forcipate, their tips ferruginous; the antennae rather
shorter than the thorax, the latter clothed with a thin fulvous
pubescence ; beneath it is white ; the wings as in the female ;
the tarsi ferruginous beneath, their apical joints rufo-testaceous.
Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, the margins thinly fringed with pale
pubescence, the apex fulvous.
This species was discovered at the land-slip near Luccomb
Chine in the Isle of Wight, in July 1851 : shortly afterwards
Mr. Baly took both sexes at Folkestone in Kent.
34. Andrena pubescens.
-4.nigra, pallido-subvillosa ; thorace fulvo; abdominis segmentis
margine albidis ; antennis subtus, plantisque, rufis.
Melitta rufitarsis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 136. 74 (var. <j> ).
Melitta fuscipes, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 136. 75 ? .
Melitta pubescens, Kirby, Mon, Ap. Angl. ii. 141. 80 $ .
Andrena fuscipes, Smith, Zool. v. 1751. 43$ $ .
Andrena rufitarsis, Smith, Zool. v. 1750. 42.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with pale ful-
vous pubescence, a line of pale downy pile along the inner margins
touching the eyes ; the flagellum more or less fulvous beneath.
Thorax : the disk clothed with fulvous pubescence, on the sides
of the metathorax it is much paler ; the tegulae rufo-testaceous,
the wings subhyaline, slightly clouded at their apical margins,
the nervures rufo-piceous ; the legs rufo-testaceous, having a
fuscous pilosity above ; the floccus yellowish-white ; the scopa
pale fulvous beneath ; the apical joints of the tarsi testaceous.
Abdomen subovate, the basal segment covered with pale fulvous
80 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
pubescence, and the three following segments having a fascia
of the same ; the apical fimbria rufo-fuscous.
Male. Length 4 lines. The face has a dense white pubescence ;
on the thorax it is ochraceous, very pale on the sides and
beneath ; the wings hyaline and iridescent ; legs as in the fe-
male ; the abdomen lanceolate and covered with a long, dense,
pale yellow pubescence. B.M.
Having carefully examined a large number of this species, it
appears certain that A. rufitarsis and A.fuscipes are the same,
the former being merely a brighter variety, frequently met
with on the first appearance of the insect : Mr. Kirby himself,
subsequently to the publication of his ' Monograph/ was of the
same opinion, as in his own interleaved copy there is a note to
that effect. M. pubescens of Kirby is the male, but whether it is
synonymous with the Apis pubescens of Fabncius admits of
some dout)t. This bee appears to confine itself to open sandy
heaths ; it abounds on all the heaths in Hampshire during July
and August ; it is also very common at Weybridge, where it
forms large colonies ; it must be borne in mind that exposure
soon bleaches bees of a fulvous clothing, and this, which de-
lights in the sunniest weather, is frequently met with quite grey,
the males being sometimes white. This species seldom frequents
any flowers, except those of the purple heath.
35. Andrena angustior.
A. nigra, subvillosa ; thorace fulvo-pubescenti ; femoribus, pe-
dibusque quatuor anticis, piceis, posticis ferrugineis.
Melitta angustior, Kirly, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 122. 61 $ .
Andrena angustior, Smith, Zool. v. 1745. 32.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 254. 17.
Andrena lacinia, Smith, Zool. v. 1751. 44, var.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with ob-
scure fusco-ferruginous pubescence, the flagellum nigro-piceous.
Thorax : the disk clothed with fulvous pubescence, on the me-
tathorax and sides it is much paler, as well as on the femora
beneath ; tegulse piceous, wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at
their apical margins, the floccus pale yellowish-white ; the scopa
pale fulvous. Abdomen ovate, fuscous, the apical margins of
the segments sparingly fringed with pale fulvous pubescence ;
the apical fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. The face thinly clothed with pale ful-
vous pubescence, the antennae half the length of the thorax, the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 81
latter having a very pale fulvous pubescence on the disk, on
the sides it is white ; the wings as in the female ; legs nigro-
piceous ; the apical joints of the anterior and intermediate tarsi,
and the whole of the posterior pair, fulvous. Abdomen elon-
gate, lanceolate, shining, and having the apical margins of the
segments depressed and thinly fringed with griseous pubes-
cence ; the extreme apex ferruginous. B.M.
This is a rare species : it is occasionally met with at Highgate,
in company with the male described. There is very little doubt
of the male described by Kirby being that of A. atriceps. This
bee appears in May. A. lacinia of Smith is only the present
species in very fine condition.
36. Andrena denticnlata.
A. atra, pallide fulvo-pilosa ; thoracis disco sparsim fulvo-piloso ;
abdominis segmentis marginibus pallide fulvis.
Melitta denticulata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 133. 72 $ .
Melitta Listerella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 137. 76 $ .
Andrena Listerella, Smith, Zeol. v. 1752. 45 $ $ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 219. 17.
Female. Length 5-5 lines. Black ; the face has a short,
pale fulvous pubescence ; the flagellum, except the three basal
joints, fulvous beneath. Thorax : the disk very sparingly
covered with fulvous pubescence, paler at the sides, and
very dense at the sides of the metathorax ; the tegulse nigro-
piceous, the wings subhyaline, slightly fulvous, the nervures
ferruginous, the apical margins clouded; legs nigro-piceous,
sometimes rufo-piceous, the femora fringed with pale fulvous
pubescence, the floccus dense, and of a pale yellow, the scopa
and the tarsi beneath bright fulvous ; the apical joints of the
tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen subovate, slightly depressed, the
apical margins of the segments have a fascia of yellowish-white
pubescence, the apical fimbriafusco-ferruginous. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black; the face covered with thin
ochraceous pubescence ; the labrum produced ; a minute tooth
on each side on the anterior margin of the clypeus ; the man-
dibles forcipate, armed at their base with a minute tooth, their
tips ferruginous ; the flagellum fulvo-piceous beneath. Thorax :
the pubescence ochraceous ; the wings subhyaline ; the tarsi
bright fulvous beneath ; the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-tes-
taceous. Abdomen lanceolate and shining; the three inter-
82 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
mediate segments have a narrow white marginal fascia; the
apex has a little fusco-ferruginous pubescence. B.M.
This species is rare : it has been twice met with, once in
Hampshire in August, where the sexes were captured on the
flowers of the Wild Briony ; it has also occurred at Southern!
in July. From the above circumstance, and the general resem-
blance of the two sexes, there can be no hesitation in uniting
them.
37. Andrena tridentata.
A. nigra, fulvo-subvillosa ; labio tridentato ; tarsis testaceis.
Melitta tridentata, Kirly, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 132. 71.
Andrena tridentata, Smith, Zool. v. 1749. 39.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black; the face covered with long
pale yellowish-white pubescence ; the mandibles forcipate ; the
labrum produced in the middle and concave in front ; the cly-
peus has on each side an obtuse tooth ; the antennae towards
the apex nigro-piceous beneath. Thorax clothed above with
rufo-fulvous pubescence ; the wings hyaline, slightly clouded at
their apical margins; the legs rufo-piceous, with a pale fulvous
pubescence ; the tarsi rufo-testaceous. Abdomen subovate, the
margins fringed with pale pubescence, between which the pu-
bescence is fulvous.
Mr. Kirby suspects that this may be the male of A. Smithella,
the female of which he met with frequently in 1799, but makes
no further mention of the date ; the time of appearance is of
considerable moment in the determination of these affinities ;
specimens of A. Smithella, females, were taken in April 1854, and
Mr. Kirby says that he captured A. iridentata in August ; there-
fore great doubt exists of its being the male of A . Smithella. Pro-
bably this is a mere variety of A. denticulata, in finer condition,
and the absence of the minute tooth at the base of the mandibles
is no greater range of variation than is frequently met with.
38. Andrena fucata.
A. nigra, cinerascenti-pilosa ; thorace pallide rufescenti-hirto ;
abdominis pedumque posticorum apicibus pallide fuscis.
Andrena fucata, Smith, Zool. v. 1743. 28.
Andrena clypeata, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 215. 12 ; Revis. Ap.
Boreal p. 254. 15.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 83
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the face covered with gri-
seous pubescence, that on the vertex fulvous, a line of silvery
pile on each side of the face in the depressions close to the mar-
gins of the eyes; the clypeus strongly punctured, having a
smooth line down the centre, the anterior margin deeply
emarginate, and produced on each side into a sharp angle.
Thorax thinly clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, most dense
on the scutellum ; at the sides of the metathorax it is paler ;
wings subhyaline, their apical margins clouded ; legs dark fus-
cous, the floccus white ; the scopa obscure fulvous above, be-
neath silvery ; the legs have a scattered pale fulvous pubes-
cence, that on the tarsi beneath ferruginous, their apical joints
rufo-testaceous. Abdomen : at the base, thinly clothed with
cinereous pubescence, on the intermediate portion it is fuscous
but very sparing, a few scattered cinereous hairs at the sides ;
on the fifth and apical segments it is fuscous, the margins of the
segments obscure testaceous. B.M.
This very distinct species is not found in the London district ;
it appears to be plentiful in Scotland, and has been received
from Bristol, but it is not quite certain that the specimens were
captured there ; it is more probably quite a northern species, as it
is found in Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
Div. V. Abdomen subpubescent : males only known.
39. Andrena picipes.
A. nigra, pallido-villosa ; thorace fulvescenti ; abdomine fusco;
pedibus rufo-piceis.
Melitta picipes, Kirly, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 127. 66.
Andrena picipes, Smith, Zool v. 1746. 34.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; the head larger than the thorax,
the face covered with a white pubescence ; the mandibles forci-
pate. Thorax above clothed with fulvous pubescence, the legs
rufo-piceous, their pubescence pale. Abdomen fuscous, shining
and pilose. B.M.
Of this species there is no specimen in the Kirbyan collection,
but some suspicion arises that it may be a male of A. helvola.
84 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
40. Andrena clypeata, n. s.
A. hirsutissima, fuscescens, clypeo albo-barbato ; abdomine
pallido-lanato.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; head as wide as the thorax,
covered with long fuscous pubescence, the clypeus having a
long white beard; the mandibles forcipate, their tips ferruginous,
produced at their base beneath into a large angular tooth ; the
antennae as long as the thorax, the nagellum piceous beneath,
the joints subarcuate. Thorax clothed above with long fus-
cous pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, iridescent, faintly
clouded at their apex, the nervures pale ferruginous ; legs ob-
scure rufo-testaceous, the femora have a long pale pubescence ;
the apical joints of the tarsi pale rufo-testaceous, the tibiae and
tarsi having a scattered glittering yellowish-white pubescence.
Abdomen lanceolate, subpetiolate, shining, and having a loose
scattered pale pubescence, the apex has a little glittering yel-
lowish-white pubescence.
This insect was received from Scotland ; it is a very distinct
and marked species, and easily recognized ; only one specimen
has occurred.
41. Andrena constricta.
A. nigra, nitida, cinerascenti-pilosa, tibiis tarsisque posticis fulvis ;
abdominis segmentorum trium intermediorum marginibus basi
constrictis.
Andrena constricta, Smith, Zool. vii. App. p. 59.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; antennae as long as the thorax,
rufo-piceous beneath, the joints subarcuate ; the clypeus coarsely
punctured, the face having a scattered pale yellow pubescence.
Thorax punctured and shining, the metathorax having & thin
griseous pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, having a fulvous
tinge, the tegulae and nervures rufo-testaceous. Abdomen
ovate, rather strongly punctured, the margins of the three inter-
mediate segments depressed, and rufo-testaceous, the extreme
apex fulvo-piceous, and having a glittering pale pubescence;
the legs rufo-testaceous, sprinkled with a pale glittering pubes-
cence ; the posterior tibiae and all the tarsi fulvo-piceous ; the
tibiae have a fuscous stain beneath.
This very distinct insect was captured by the Rev. W. Little at
Kirkpatrick- Juxta ; it is quite possible that it may prove to
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 85
be the male of the A. rufit arsis of Zetterstedt, but the descrip-
tion of that sex, as given'by Nylander, is not sufficiently detailed.
42. Andrena frontalis.
A. nigra, nitida, cinerascenti-pilosa ; clypeo albo; pedibus nigris.
Andrena frontalis, Smith, Zool. vii. App. p. 59.
Mdle. Length 4 lines. Black ; the head wider than the thorax,
the clypeus white, and having on each side an angular black
spot ; the face has a thin griseous pubescence. Thorax shining,
and having some scattered punctures, at the sides a thin grise-
ous pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, iridescent, the nervures
ferruginous ; the legs have a glittering hoary pubescence, the
claws ferruginous, the calcaria pale testaceous. Abdomen ovate-
lanceolate, punctured and glossy ; the margins of the interme-
diate segments depressed and rufo-testaceous ; the extreme
apex covered with pale glittering pubescence : beneath, the
third, fourth and fifth segments are ciliated with short fulvous
hairs ; towards the base, rufo-piceous.
This species most closely resembles the male of A. awa&s,but
may at once be distinguished by its black posterior tarsi and the
fulvous cilia on the ventral segments. Mr. Samuel Stevens took
this insect in Devonshire.
43. Andrena Aprilina.
A. nigra; thorace fulvo-piloso ; abdomine nitido, segmentorum
marginibus testaceis ; tarsis ferrugineis.
Andrena Aprilina, Smith, Zool. vi. 2211.
Male. Length 4| lines. Black ; the clypeus clothed with
brown pubescence, at the base of the antennae and on the
vertex it is fulvous ; the antennae a little shorter than the tho-
rax, the joints subarcuate. Thorax clothed with fulvous pubes-
cence, sparingly so on the disk, and palest at the sides of the
irietp.thorax ; the wings subhyaline, their nervures testaceous ;
the legs have a fulvous pubescence, the tarsi ferruginous. Ab-
domen oblong-ovate, shining, the margins of the segments
piceous, the second and third depressed; all the margins thinly
fringed with fulvous pubescence; the extreme apex covered
with fuscous pubescence.
This species is in the collection of Mr. Dale, of Glanvilles
Wootton.
86 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Div. VI. The segments of the abdomen having marginal fascia.
A. The fascia concolorous with the pubescence of the thorax.
44. Andrena fulvicrus.
A . nigra, pallide fulvo-villosa ; abdomine fasciis tribus pallidis ;
tibiarum posticarum scopa fulva.
Melitta fulvicrus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 138. 77 $ ? .
Melitta contigua, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 140. 79 $ var.
Andrena fulvicrus, Smith, Zool. v. 1916. 46.
Andrena articulata, Smith, Zool. v. 1750. 41, var. <$ .
Female. Length 4^-5 J lines. Black ; the clypeus has a cloth-
ing of fulvous pubescence, above which it is black. Thorax :
the disk thinly clothed with fulvous pubescence, on the sides
and metathorax it is paler ; wings hyaline, the nervures ferru-
ginous, the tegulse piceous ; the pubescence on the legs rufous,
the scopa fulvous, the claws ferruginous, the pubescence on the
tarsi beneath ferruginous, the floccus pale fulvous. Abdomen
ovate, shining, closely and finely punctured ; the margin of the
basal segment and those of the three following have a fascia of
pale fulvous pubescence, that on the basal segment usually
more or less obliterated; the apical fimbria sooty-black. B.M.
Male. Length 3^-5 lines. Black; the face densely clothed
with black pubescence, usually intermixed with a few fulvous
hairs ; antennae half the length of the thorax, the latter clothed
with pale fulvous pubescence, palest on the sides and on the
legs. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, closely punctured ; the apical
margins of the segments, which are slightly depressed, have a
fascia of ochraceous pubescence ; the entire abdomen has a short
scattered pubescence of the same colour ; the sixth and apical
segments have a little dark fuscous pubescence, the extreme
apex ferruginous. B.M.
Var. a. Length 5 lines. The flagellum, except the basal joint,
rufo-piceous beneath ; the mandibles and apical joints of the
tarsi ferruginous ; the fascise of the abdomen white ; the abdo-
men very shining and punctate.
This is a very abundant species in the London district, and
appears to be generally distributed over the country. It has
been received from Scotland. The males vary considerably in
size as well as in colour ; when long exposed they become en-
tirely hoary. Mr. Kirby's M. contigua is certainly a worn spe-
cimen of the male ; and it is pretty certain that A. articulata is
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 87
not distinct, but it differs in several particulars from the usual
appearance of the insect; it is the var. a. I have frequently
captured the sexes in coitu.
45. Andrena extricata.
A. nigra, grisescenti-villosa ; abdomine fasciis tribus albis; tibi-
arura posticarum scopa fulva.
Andrena extricata, Smith, Zool. vii. App. 59.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with short
pale fulvous pubescence, on the vertex it is fulvous. Thorax
clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, that on the legs is of the
same colour, the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-piceous, the
claws ferruginous; the floccus yellowish-white, the scopa ful-
vous ; the wings hyaline, their apical margins faintly clouded,
the nervures ferruginous. Abdomen closely punctured, the
basal and three following segments hare a white marginal fascia,
the first more or less obliterated, the apical nmbria fuscous.
Male. Length 4 lines. The face has a bright fulvous pubes-
cence, on the vertex it is fuscous ; on the thorax and legs it is
pale fulvous, the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous ; the
wings hyaline, the nervures pale ferruginous. Abdomen ovate-
lanceolate, very glossy, the segments have white marginal fasciae,
the apex fulvous.
This very closely resembles the preceding species, and it is
difficult to point out more than what might constitute a perma^
nent variety, but it has not occurred near London, where A.ful-
vicrus abounds ; the male is most distinct ; the difference in
colour is not the effect of exposure, the specimens described
being in the most recent and beautiful condition.
This insect has been met with in the north of England, and
examples have been taken at Weymouth, Dorset.
46. Andrena polita.
A . nigra, fulvo-pilosa ; thorace rufescenti-piloso ; tibiis tarsisque
posticis, atque abdominis apice fulvis.
Andrena polita, Smith, Zool v. 1733. 11 <? ? .
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
fulvous pubescence, the flagellum fulvo-piceous beneath. Tho-
88 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
rax : the disk thinly clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence, on
the metathorax and sides it is paler ; the wings subhyaline,
their apical margins clouded, the tegulae rufo-testaceous ; the
pubescence on the legs fulvous, the scopa bright fulvous, the
floccus pale fulvous ; the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen shining,
oblong- ovate, closely and delicately punctured, the apical mar-
gins of the segments obscurely rufo-testaceous ; the second,
third and fourth segments having a narrow pale fulvous fringe,
more or less obliterated in the middle ; the fifth and apical seg-
ments clothed with bright fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 5 lines. The pubescence on the clypeus white,
above which it is pale fulvous, the cheeks have a long beard
and the mandibles a fringe of very pale pubescence, the femora
have a fringe of the same colour ; on the tibiae and tarsi it is
pale fulvous, the apical joints of the latter being pale ferrugi-
nous ; on the disk of the thorax the pubescence is fulvo-ochra-
ceous, the wings as in the female. Abdomen oblong-ovate,
very glossy, its pubescence as in the female ; the margins of
the segments depressed and narrowly rufo-testaceous.
This beautiful species was discovered in the chalk pits at North-
fleet some years ago, in the month of July, where it has since
been met with, but not in any other locality ; it appears to be a
rare insect.
47. Andrena fulvago.
A. nigra, fulvo-villosa ; thorace pube rufa; abdomine punctu-
lato, nitido ; pedibus posticis, anoque, fulvis.
Apis fulvago, Christ. Hym. p. 189. t. 16. f . 7 ? .
Melitta fulvago, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AnyL ii. 93. 44.
Andrena fulvago, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 243. 11.
Smith, Zool. v. 1 732. 9<J ?
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 99 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 255. 19.
Female. Length 4| lines. Black; the face thinly clothed with
short fulvous pubescence, the clypeus strongly punctured ; the
flagellum fulvo-testaceous beneath. Thorax : the disk shining,
strongly punctured, thinly covered with obscure rufous pubes-
cence; wings fulvo-hy aline, the nervures ferruginous, tegulae
rufo-piceous ; the legs rufo-piceous, the tarsi and posterior
tibiae rufo-fulvous ; the floccus pale fulvous, the scopa fulvous.
Abdomen subovate, shining, and finely punctured ; the apical
margins of the segments depressed and obscurely rufo-piceous ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 89
the apical fimbria fulvous ; the apical margins of the third and
fourth segments have sometimes a thin fulvous fringe. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. The head and thorax have an obscure
rufo-fulvous pubescence ; the antennae shorter than the thorax,
dark rufo-testaceous beneath ; wings as in the female ; the
intermediate tarsi and the posterior tibiae and tarsi, rufo-fulvous ;
the claws of the anterior tarsi fulvous. Abdomen oblong-ovate,
punctured, the margins obscurely rufo-piceous, the three apical
segments having a thin fringe of pale fulvous pubescence.
B.M.
This is a very local insect ; it appears about the beginning of
June ; in some places it is not uncommon. It has been observed
entering its burrows in a bank of light earth at Hawley in Hamp-
shire, and also occurs at Wey bridge. It frequents a species of
Hawkweed (Hieracium), in which the males are frequently to be
found reposing.
48. Andrena fulvescens.
A. nigra, fulvo-villosa ; tibiis tarsisque posticis fulvis; abdomine
apice fulvo.
Andrena fulvescens, Smith, Zool. v. 1732. 10.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with fulvous
pubescence, the flagellum fulvo-piceous beneath. Thorax
clothed with fulvous pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, and
having a fulvous tinge, the nervures fulvo-testaceous ; the
floccus, scopa, and the pubescence on the legs and apex of the
abdomen bright fulvous ; the posterior tibiae "and tarsi rufo-
fulvous, the claws of the same colour ; the abdomen ovate,
smooth and shining. B.M.
Male. Length 4|-5 lines. The clypeus yellowish-white, having
two minute black dots, and covered with white pubescence ;
on the vertex and on the thorax it is ochraceous; wings as
in the female ; the legs have a griseous pubescence. Abdomen
thinly sprinkled with pale ochraceous pubescence, the apex fer-
ruginous. B.M.
Hampstead Heath is the only spot near London where this
bee occurs ; it burrows in the hard gravel pathways to the south
of the pond in the Vale of Health ; it appears in the beginning
of June, but is not very abundant. In a similar pathway leading
to Hawley Green, Hampshire, is a large colony of this species ;
so numerous, that their flight, as they skim over the surface
90
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
of the ground, produces a loud humming noise ; during the last
ten years, as in 1843, the same colony has continued equally
numerous. Like the former species this insect frequents the
flowers of a species of Hawkweed.
B. The apical margins of the segments having white fascia.
49. Andrena longipes.
A. atra, pallido-villosa ; thorace fulvo; tarsis omnibus rufis;
abdomine ovato, fasciis tribus interrupts albis.
Andrena longipes, Smith, Zool. v. 1740. 24 $ $ .
Andrena bucephala, Steph. Illust. Hand. vii. Supp. p. 17. ^var.
t. 43. f. 6.
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black; the face thinly clothed
with pale fulvous pubescence, below the insertion of the an-
tennae it is somewhat griseous; antennas slender, more than
half the length of the thorax ; the flagellum piceous beneath.
Thorax : above, clothed with fulvous pubescence, paler on
the metathorax and sides ; the wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures
and tegulse pale rufo-testaceous ; the legs have a thin fulvous
pubescence ; the floccus white, the scopa and the pubescence
on the tarsi of a golden-fulvous, very bright and glittering ; the
tarsi rufo-fulvous, the posterior tarsi usually of the same co-
lour, but sometimes fusco-ferruginous ; the legs more elongate
than usual. Abdomen ovate, shining and convex ; the apical
margins of the second, third and fourth segments, have a very
narrow white marginal fringe, the two first interrupted; the
apical fimbria fulvous. B.M.
Male. Length 4-6 lines. The head varying in size, sometimes
twice as large as the thorax, the mandibles forcipate ; the face
has a thinly scattered pale fulvous pubescence ; the clypeus
shining and finely punctured; the antennae as long as the thorax.
The thorax and wings as in the female ; the tarsi and extreme
apex of the tibiae fulvo-ferruginous ; the legs elongate as in the
other sex. Abdomen lanceolate, much narrowed at the base,
naked and shining, the margins of the segments obscurely
rufo-piceous. B.M.
This very conspicuous and beautiful species is found in plenty
on a mound close to Highgate Archway, and occurs occasion-
ally on Hampstead Heath ; it has also been met with on the
border of Hawley-Flat, Hants : these are the only localities
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 91
known. It appears in the month of April; the large-headed
males have a very ferocious aspect.
50. Andrena albicms.
A. atra, cinereo-villosa ; thorace fulvo ;, abdomine ovato, pilosulo,
strigis tribus albis ; scopa versicolori.
Melitta albicrus, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 156. 96 $ $ .
Melitta barbilabris, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 151. 91 $ var.
Andrena albicrus, Smith, Zool. v. 1924. 59.
Female. Length 5-5^ lines. Black ; the face on each side and
the vertex have a little pale fulvous pubescence, the channel on
each side of the face covered with a fulvous pile ; the flagellum
nigro-piceous beneath. Thorax : the disk thinly clothed with
fulvous pubescence, on the metathorax and sides it is paler ;
the wings subhyaline, the nervures and tegulse rufo-piceous ;
the legs have a cinereous pubescence ; the scopa fuscous above
and silvery-white beneath ; the floccus white. Abdomen ovate,
smooth and shining, the second, third and fourth segments have
a narrow white marginal fringe, the two first usually inter-
rupted; the apical fimbria fuscous; beneath, the margins of
the apical segments have a narrow white fringe, the segments
having some longer scattered silvery pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; having a long hoary pubes-
cence on the head, thorax and legs ; that on the disk of the
thorax tinged with ochraceous, that on the clypeus being snow-
white and glittering, forming a beard, which hides the labrum.
Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, having a thinly scattered cinereous
pubescence ; the margins of the segments depressed, a little
pale glittering pubescence at the apex. B.M.
This species appears about the middle of May, and forms
large colonies. I have frequently observed the sexes in coitu. The
species is generally distributed, and is very plentiful on Hamp-
stead Heath ; it is also very numerous about Charlton, Black -
heath, &c. It has been taken in Yorkshire in the month of
July ; at the sides of a sandy road on the top of Woolley Edge
near Wakefield are immense colonies ; there it swarms in count-
less numbers ; they occur in every flower of a species of Hawk-
weed, with which the sides of the lane are bordered.
92 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
51. Andrena labialis.
A. nigra, pallide villosa ; thorace fulvescenti ; pedibus fulvo-
villosis; abdominis seginentis intermediis utrinque striga alba.
Mas, facie albida.
Melitta labialis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 148. 87 # .
Andrena labialis, Smith, Zool. v. 1921. <J $ .
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 256. 23.
Andrena separata, Smith, Zool. v. 1922. 55 (var. $ ?).
Female. Length 5J-6 lines. Black ; the face has a pale ful-
vous pubescence, the clypeus naked and strongly punctured.
Thorax strongly punctured, thinly clothed with short fulvous
pubescence, at the sides and on the metathorax it is more
dense and of a paler colour ; the tegulae pale testaceous ; the
wings fulvo-hyaline, their nervures ferruginous, faintly clouded
at their apical margins ; the legs have a short fulvous pubes-
cence ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous ; the scopa
fulvous, the floccus pale fulvous. Abdomen ovate, shining,
finely and closely punctured ; the three intermediate segments
have a narrow fringe of pale fulvous pubescence, the first two
usually interrupted, the apical fimbria fulvous. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the clypeus and the face on
each side pale yellow, the former having a minute angular dot
on each side ; the face has a pale fulvous pubescence, on the disk
of the thorax it is fulvous, paler on the sides and on the legs ;
wings as in the female. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, punctured
as in the other sex, and having a pale fulvous fringe on the
apical margins of the segments, frequently obliterated on the
first, and usually interrupted on the two following ; the extreme
apex fulvous. B.M.
This bee usually appears about the end of May ; it is not un-
common to the north of London, about Hampstead and High-
gate, but I believe it to be local : I have not yet seen it from
the north of England. The bright colouring which this species
exhibits when first disclosed soon fades, and this cannot be too
much impressed on the mind in studying these descriptions.
It is very probable that A. separata is only a variety of the
female, notwithstanding its having a white clypeus ; it occurs in
company with the other, but very rarely.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 93
52. Andrena chrysosceles.
A. nigra, cinereo-subpubescens ; abdomine nitido, fasciis inter-
ruptis albis ; ano, tarsis, tibiisque posticis, testaceis. Mas,
facie antice albida.
Melitta chrysosceles, Kirby, Mon Ap. Angl. ii. 143. 82.
Andrena chrysosceles, Smith, ZooL v. 1917. 17.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 218. 15 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 257. 26.
Female. Length 4-4 lines. Black; the face has a short
glittering whitish pubescence, the channels on each side of the
face covered with a fulvous pile, the apex of the flagellum fulvo-
piceous beneath. Thorax : the disk has a very thin pale ful-
vous pubescence, and on each side over the tegulae an ab-
breviated impressed line; the wings fulvo-hyaline, iridescent,
the nervures and tegulae pale rufo-testaceous ; legs nigro-pice-
ous, and having a pale pubescence ; the tarsi and the posterior
tibiae fulvo-testaceous ; the floccus and fringe of the femora
white, the scopa of a pale golden yellow, very bright and glit-
tering. Abdomen subovate, subdepressed, shining and very
delicately punctured ; the apical margins of the three interme-
diate segments have a very narrow white marginal fringe, the
tirst two usually interrupted ; the apical nmbria bright fulvous.
B.M.
Male. Length 3^-4 lines. Head rather wider than the thorax,
the clypeus pale yellow, and having on each side a minute black
dot; the pubescence on the clypeus silvery-white, above and
on the vertex very pale fulvous, it is of the same colour on the
disk of the thorax ; wdngs and legs as in the other sex, the pos-
terior tibiae fuscous and pale at the apex. Abdomen lanceolate,
shining and delicately punctured, the margins of the segments
obscurely rufo-piceous, the intermediate ones having laterally
a short fringe of white pubescence, the apex pale testaceous.
B.M.
This species usually appears in June ; it is widely distributed,
but is still a local insect ; it occurs in many places in the London
district, and is frequently taken on Umbellifera at wood sides,
&c. ; it is a very distinct species and easily recognized.
94 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
53. Andrena Coitana.
A. atra, glabriuscula ; abdomine nitidissimo, subcuneiformi, seg-
mentis intertnediis utrinque albo ciliatis; scopa versicolori.
Mas, frontis angulis, clypeoque albis.
Melitta Coitana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 147. 86 $ .
Melitta Shawella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 160. 100 $ .
Andrena Coitana, Smith, Zool. v. 1919. $ ? var.
Andrena Shawella, Smith, Zool. v. 1926. 64.
Andrena nana, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 221. 19 $ $ .
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face nearly naked, having
only a few scattered griseous hairs ; the lateral channels of the
face, which in this species are continued as high as the vertex
of the eyes, are slightly curved inwards towards the stem-
mata, and are clothed with fuscous pile. Thorax shining, and
having a few pale hairs at the sides of the metathorax ; the disk
rather strongly punctured and shining, the metathorax opaque ;
the tegulae piceous, the wings subhyaline, the nervures fuscous ;
the first recurrent nervure received near the apex of the second
submarginal cell ; the floccus white, the scopa fuscous above,
silvery beneath. Abdomen glossy, widest towards the apex, the
margins of the intermediate segments slightly depressed, and
having a narrow fringe of short white pubescence, the first two
widely interrupted, the apical fimbria rufo-fuscous. B.M.
Male. The clypeus and a small angular spot on each side white,
the clypeus having two minute black dots : the antennae shorter
than the thorax, the latter shining, and having a very thin pale
ochraceous pubescence : wings as in the other sex ; the legs
have a cinereous pubescence, and the apical joints of the tarsi
are ferruginous. Abdomen lanceolate, and having a scattered
griseous pubescence, that at the apex pale and glittering. B.M.
This species is not met with in the London district, but in the
north of England it does not appear to be uncommon. It is
frequently received from Scotland; in 1852 both sexes were
taken in tolerable plenty, and dug out of the same burrows :
this circumstance, in connexion with the fact of both insects
being usually received at the same time from Scotland, removes
any hesitation in considering them one species. A specimen or
two has occurred at Weybridge.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 95
54. Andrena analis.
A. nigra, cinerascenti-villosa ; abdomine nitido, fasciis interruptis
albidis ; tarsis tibiisque posticis fulvis.
Andrena analis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 90. 14 $ , 15 $ .
Smith, Zool. v. 1920. 53.
Andrena tarsata, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 223. 22 <? ? ; Revis. Ap.
Boreal, p. 259. 32 $ .
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face thinly clothed with
griseous pubescence, but having a slight fulvous stain on the
margin of the clypeus ; the flagellum fulvo-piceous towards the
apex beneath. Thorax : the pubescence sparing and griseous
on the disk, but dense and white at the sides of the meta-
thorax ; wings subhyaline, iridescent, the nervures ferrugi-
nous ; the fioccus white, the scopa bright fulvous, the posterior
tibiae and tarsi, and the apical joints of the anterior and poste-
rior tarsi, rufo-fulvous. Abdomen shining, ovate, and having
a short white marginal fringe on the apical margins of the
segments, that on the first frequently obliterated, and those on
the second and third usually widely interrupted; the apical
fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. The clypeus white and having three
minute fuscous dots placed in a triangle, the anterior dot some-
times nearly obsolete, densely covered with long white pubes-
cence : along the margins of the eyes and at the insertion of the
antennae a little mixture of fuscous pubescence. Thorax shining,
and having a thin griseous pubescence, mixed with fuscous
hairs at the margin of the scutellum ; wings subhyaline, irides-
cent, the nervures testaceous ; the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen
lanceolate, shining and delicately punctured, the margins of
the intermediate segments depressed, smooth and shining,
sometimes having a loose fringe of pale pubescence; the extreme
apex ferruginous. B.M.
In this species the first recurrent nervure is received in the
middle of the second submarginal cell.
This species does not occur near London ; it has once or twice
been taken at Weybridge. Mr. J. Hardy took both sexes from
the nest ; he finds it abundantly in little hillocks, at the sides
of pathways, in Penmanshiel Wood, Berwickshire. It has also
been received from Ireland.
96
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
55. Andrena minutula.
A. atra, glabriuscula ; cinereo-subvillosa ; abdomine nitido, sub-
rotundo ; tibiarum posticarum scopa argentea.
Melitta minutula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 161. 101 < $ .
Melitta parvula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 162. 103 (var.).
Andrena minutula, Smith, Zool. v. 1925. 61.
Andrena parvula, Smith, Zool. v. 1925. 63.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 258. 29.
Andreua subopaca, Nyland. Ap. Boreal.^. 221. 19.
Female. Length 3-3 lines. Black ; the face has on each side
a line of silvery pubescence, which extends to the vertex of the
eyes, the clypeus is also sprinkled with a few glittering hairs ;
the flagellum is usually rufo-piceous beneath. Thorax thinly
sprinkled with pale pubescence, most dense at the sides of the
metathorax, which is rounded posteriorly and finely rugose ;
wings slightly fuscous, the nervures ferruginous ; the legs have
a glittering hoary pubescence, the floccus white, the scopa
silvery and glittering : the tarsi beneath fulvous, the calcaria pale
testaceous. Abdomen subovate, shining, the apical fimbria
fusco-cinereous ; the margins of the segments beneath ciliated
with glittering hairs. B.M.
Male. Length 2^-3 lines. The entire pubescence cinereous,
that on the clypeus very bright and glittering ; the flagellum
rufo-piceous beneath ; the wings subhyaline, splendidly irides-
cent ; the legs have a beautiful glittering pubescence, the cal-
caria pale testaceous, the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-testa-
ceous. Abdomen subovate, convex, smooth and shining. B.M.
Var. a. The legs rufo-testaceous.
Var. |3. The posterior tarsi entirely testaceous.
This little bee usually appears in May, when the Germander
Speedwell ( Veronica Chamcedrys) is in flower, to which I have
observed it to be partial. For some years past males and females
have been taken on the above flowers on a bank at the side of
Bishop's Wood, Hampstead. Mr. Kirby says, that the male of
M. parvula has black hair on its face ; this is certainly an error.
He does not say why he placed them together. After the most
careful examination of the typical specimens described by Kirby,
no difference can be found between A. parvula and A. minutula.
In the Kirbyan Cabinet are specimens of A. nana placed as
varieties of A. minutula.
The antennae of A. minutula, female, are frequently more or less
rufo-piceous towards the apex ; and specimens occur whose legs
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 97
and abdomen are testaceous. It thus becomes a matter of great
doubt whether the two can possibly be distinct.
56. Andrena nana.
A. atra, albido-villosula ; abdomine nitido, segmentis basi punc-
tulatissimis ; tibiarum posticarum scopa argentea.
Melitta nana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 161. 102 $ .
Aiidrena nana, Smith, Zool. v. 1925. 62.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 258. 30.
Female. Length 3^ lines. Black ; on each side of the face a
line of silvery pile along the margins of the eyes. Thorax : a
little cinereous pubescence on the metathorax and at the sides,
that on the legs is of the same colour ; the tegulae piceous, the
wings subhyaline, the nervures ferruginous ; the posterior legs
have the floccus white, the scopa silvery, bright and glittering ;
the basal joint of the tarsi slightly fulvous within ; the apical
joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen elongate-ovate, shining
and delicately punctured ; the apical margins of the segments
depressed, and impunctate ; on the apical margins of the three
intermediate segments laterally, a fringe of white pubescence ;
the apical fimbria white, with more or less of a fulvous tinge ;
beneath, the margins of the segments thinly ciliated with white
hairs. B.M.
This little bee is very liable to be confounded either with A.
parvula or more probably with the A. Coitana, which indeed it
much resembles ; it will be known at once from the former by
the form of its abdomen, and from the latter by its silvery
scopa, and by its thorax being much more finely punctured.
The male given by Kirby belongs to A. minutula, but whether
the black-faced male assigned to A. parvula belongs to A. nana
is not quite certain, another name therefore is given to it provi-
sionally. This is not a common species, although widely distri-
buted ; it is met with in Yorkshire, and occasionally in the
London district in June and July.
57. Andrena nigrifrons.
A. atra, cinereo-subvillosa ; facie atro-villosula.
Melitta nana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 161. 102 $ .
Male. Black ; the face clothed with black pubescence, the man-
dibles ferruginous at their apex, the flagellum nigro-piceous
F
98 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
beneath ; the wings subhyaline, splendidly iridescent ; the legs
have a hoary pubescence ; the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
subovate, the apex testaceous. B.M.
This may prove to be the male of A. nana m , it cannot possibly
belong to A. parvula, as supposed by Kirby.
58. Andrena argentata.
A. atra, argenteo-villosa ; thorace pallide fulvo ; abdomine ovato,
fasciis tribus albis, in medio vix interruptis.
Andrena argentata, Smith, ZooL ii, 409 ; v. 1920. 52.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 256. 22.
Andrena barbatula, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 461. 5 ?
Female. Length 4 lines. Head : a line of silvery pile on each
side of the face ; the face, above the antennae, delicately longi-
tudinally striate ; the antennae nigro-piceous beneath, the tips
covered with silvery- white pubescence. Thorax thinly clothed
with pale fulvous pubescence, on the sides of the metathorax
and beneath it is cinereous ; the legs have a glittering silvery
pubescence ; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdo-
men ovate, shining and very delicately punctured ; the apical
margins of the three intermediate segments fringed with white
pubescence, the first usually interrupted ; the apical fimbria
fuscous, intermixed with glittering silvery hairs. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. The pubescence silvery-white, thinly
scattered on the disk of the thorax, the tegulae fulvo-testaceous,
wings hyaline, splendidly iridescent ; the apical joints of the
tarsi pale rufo-testaceous. Abdomen very glossy and smooth,
the basal segment has on each side a short fringe of snow-
white pubescence, on the four following the fringe is slightly
interrupted.
This pretty little species was discovered some years ago at
Sandhurst, Berks ; subsequently at Weybridge, in the begin-
ning of August : no other locality is known. The A. barbatula
of Zetterstedt may be synonymous, but certainly not A. bar-
batula of Kirby.
59. Andrena dorsata.
A. cinereo-subvillosa ; thorace fulvo ; metathorace utrinque
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 9
fimbria pallida; abdomine fasciis tribus albis, antica inter-
rupta.
Melitta dorsata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 144. 83 $ .
Melitta combinata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 153. 94.
Melitta nudiuscula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 155. 95.
Andrena dorsata, Smith, Zool. v. 1918. 48.
Andrena combinata, Smith, Zool. v. 1923. 58.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face has a cinereous pu-
bescence, and on each side a line of fulvous pile as high as the
vertex of the eyes ; the flagellum sometimes rufo-testaceous
towards the apex beneath. Thorax clothed with short fulvous
pubescence, thinly scattered on the disk, but dense on the
scutellum : the sides of the metathorax have a thick curled
fringe of pale pubescence ; the tegula? ferruginous, the wings
subhyaline, the nervures pale ferruginous ; the legs rufo-testa-
ceous, the femora and tibiae sometimes fusco-testaceous ; the
floccus white ; the scopa pale fulvous, intermixed with glitter-
ing hairs ; the basal joint of the tarsi fulvous beneath. Abdo-
men subovate, very glossy and delicately punctured ; the three
intermediate segments have a narrow white fringe on their
apical margins ; the first usually interrupted ; the apical fim-
bria fulvous; beneath, the margins of the segments have a
long fringe of pale pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. The clypeus and cheeks have a long,
dense, cinereous pubescence, on the margin of the vertex and
disk of the thorax it is pale fulvous, most dense on the scu-
tellum; the sides of the metathorax have a long cinereous
pubescence ; the tarsi ferruginous, much lighter in some spe-
cimens than in others ; the wings splendidly iridescent. Ab-
domen ovate-lanceolate, smooth and shining, the margins of
the intermediate segments have a very narrow white fringe on
their apical margins, which is usually interrupted. B.M.
Amongst a series of specimens of A. dorsata, the differences
pointed out by Kirby as distinctive of A. dorsata, A. combinata
and A. nudiuscula gradually present themselves; thus, the ob-
scure posterior tibiae, pale only at the apex, the tegulae a little
darker than in A. combinata, and the pubescence a little bleached,
from ferruginous to fulvous, typify the M. dorsata ; the variety
having the thorax clothed with ferruginous pubescence, and
having the legs paler, constitutes the M. combinata ; and as to
the M. nudiuscula, no hesitation can be felt, after careful exami-
nation, in considering it a worn specimen of A. dorsata ; at least
this is the conclusion at which I have arrived, after a careful exa-
mination of the typical examples in the Kirbian collection.
F 2
100 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This species, although plentiful in some localities, does not
occur near London : it appears in July and August, at Wey-
bridge.
60. Andrena connectens.
A. atra, cinereo-subpubescens ; thorace fulvo; abdomine con-
vexo, nitido ; pedibus runs.
Melitta connectens, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 157. 97.
Andrena connectens, Smith, ZooL v. 1924. 60.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; at the insertion of the an-
tennae and sides of the face a long pale fulvous pubescence,
very sparing on the clypeus, which is shining and coarsely punc-
tured ; the flagellum fulvous beneath. Thorax : the pubes-
cence on the disk fulvous, most dense on the scutellum ; at the
sides of the metathorax a dense fringe of pale pubescence,
the disk shining and strongly punctured ; the wings subhya-
line, having a fulvous tinge, the nervures and tegulse pale tes-
taceous ; the legs rufo-testaceous, and having a pale glittering
pubescence, the tioccus white, the scopa silvery. Abdomen
subovate, shining and delicately punctured ; the margins of the
segments obscurely rufo-testaceous ; the three intermediate seg-
ments have a marginal fringe of yellowish-white pubescence,
that on the first usually interrupted ; the apical fimbria pale
and glittering, having a fulvous tinge ; beneath, the segments
have a long pale marginal fringe. B.M.
It will be seen that this insect closely approaches the pre-
ceding, but it is certainly more than a variety ; the principal points
in which it differs are, the coarsely sculptured clypeus, and the
strongly punctured thorax ; the colour of its legs also, taken in
combination with the above differences, furnishes a good specific
distinction.
This species has been met with at Southend in the month of
August.
61. Andrena fuscata.
A. nigra, pallide subvillosa ; thorace fusco; abdomine ovato,
convexiusculo, segmentorum marginibus albo-fasciatis.
Melitta fuscata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 167. 107 ? .
Andrena fuscata, Smith, ZooL v. 1929. 68 <? $ .
Female. Length 4i lines. Black ; the pubescence on the face
short and pale fulvous; the flagellum nigro-piceous towards
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 101
the apex. Thorax shining and finely punctured ; the meta-
thorax opake ; the pubescence on the middle of the disk fuscous,
at the sides it is pale fulvous, as well as on the metathorax
laterally ; the wings hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical
margins, the nervures fusco-ferruginous ; the legs have a pale
pubescence, the floccus nearly white, having an ochraceous
tinge, the scopa of a glittering pale fulvous. Abdomen shining,
subovate and convex, very delicately and closely punctured ;
the 'apical margin of the basal segment has on each side a short
fringe of pale ochraceous pubescence, the following have a
marginal fringe of the same colour, the first usually interrupted ;
the apical fimbria rufo-fuscous.
This insect so closely resembles the following in every parti-
cular, except the colour of the posterior legs, that great hesita-
tion arises in separating them. A. Afzeliella abounds on Hamp-
stead Heath, where it burrows in the sandy spots ; the present
species is occasionally found in its company.
62. Andrena Afzeliella.
A. atra, pallide fulvo-villosa; thorace fusco-ferrugineo; abdomine
subcordato, fasciis tribus pallidis, anticis interruptis.
Melitta Afzeliella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 169. 108.
Melitta contigua, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 140. 79 $ .
Andrena Afzeliella, Smith, ZooL v. 1929. 69.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Black ; the face has a pale fulvous
pubescence, the clypeus naked, the flagellum nigro-piceous
towards the apex. Thorax shining and punctured ; the disk
has a dark ferruginous pubescence, on the sides it is of a pale
fulvous ; the wings hyaline, their apical margins faintly clouded ;
the legs have a pale fulvous pubescence, the posterior tibiae
and tarsi rufo-fulvous, the apical joints of the anterior and in-
termediate tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, sometimes heart-
shaped, shining and very delicately and closely punctured ; the
apical margin of the basal segment has on each side a short
fringe of white pubescence ; the three following segments have
a fringe of the same colour, the first interrupted ; the apical
firabria rufo-fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 3|-4 lines. The face has a long thin fulvous
pubescence, that on the thorax is of the same colour, beneath
and on the legs it is paler ; the antennae shorter than the thorax,
the flagellum slightly piceous at the apex : the wings as in the
female. Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, very acute at the apex;
102 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
shining, closely and more strongly punctured than in the fe-
male ; the margins of the segments depressed, the segments
having a marginal fringe of pale pubescence, sometimes white ;
the apex covered with white pubescence.
This is a very abundant species in all parts of the country : it
appears in April. And here may be recorded an observation
made during each succeeding autumn for several years past :
This species partially reappears in the month of August, when
fine fresh males may be captured, and in a few days afterwards
the females; this reappearance however is only partial. In
very fine long-continued hot weather in autumn, Anthophora
acervorum, Melecta armata, and Nomada Marshamella have
been taken, all being early spring insects : such occurrences are
however very rare, and no one has previously recorded such
appearances.
63. Andrena convexiuscula.
A. nigra, griseo-subpubescens ; abdomine ovato, convexo, seg-
mentorum marginibus pallidis ; tibiis plantisque posticis rufis.
Melitta convexiuscula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 166. 106 $ .
Andrena convexiuscula, Smith, Zool. v. 1927. 66^ $ .
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 257. 25.
Andrena xanthura, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Supp. p. 100.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face covered with short
pale fulvous pubescence, the flagellum slightly testaceous near
the apex. Thorax very closely punctured and thinly clothed
above with fulvous pubescence, on the metathorax and sides
it is paler ; the tegulae piceous, the wings subhyaline, faintly
obscured towards their apical margins, the nervures rufo-testa-
ceous ; the intermediate and posterior tarsi, the apical joints of
the anterior pair and the posterior tibiae pale rufous, the latter
having a fuscous stain beneath ; the floccus white, the scopa of
a golden-yellow, having in certain lights a glittering silvery
brightness. Abdomen ovate, convex, and shining, very deli-
cately and finely punctured, the punctures faintly impressed ;
the three intermediate segments have on their apical margins a
narrow fringe of pale yellow pubescence ; the two apical seg-
ments have a scattered short rufous pilosity, the apical fimbria
is pale fulvous. B.M.
Male. The face clothed with griseous pubescence, the clypeus
strongly punctured, the antennae nearly as long as the thorax,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 103
the extreme apex testaceous, the joints subarcuate. Thorax :
the pubescence griseous, that on the disk has a slight fulvous
tinge; the legs covered with pale glittering pubescence, that
on the tarsi beneath golden-yellow ; the apical joints of the an-
terior and intermediate tarsi, the posterior pair, and the extreme
apex of the tibiae, rufo-testaceous ; the wings as in the female.
Abdomen ovate-lanceolate, punctured and fringed as in the
female. B.M.
This bee is not met with in the London district ; it is taken
near Farnham in Surrey, and in the Isle of Wight. Mr. Dale
records that it is occasionally plentiful at Glanvilles Wootton ;
it must be widely distributed, having frequently been received
from distant localities. This species appears to be always at-
tacked by some species of Stylops : out of upwards of thirty
specimens examined, not one of either sex is free ; some indi-
viduals having one, others two, and a few even three specimens
of Stylops projecting from the segments of the abdomen.
64. Andrena Kirbyi.
A. nigra, pallide villosa ; thorace nitido ; abdominis segmentis
pallido-marginatis.
Andrena Kirbyi, Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii. 129. t. 129.
Smith, Zool. v. 1922. 56.
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; the head very closely punc-
tured, rendering it opake, the pubescence ochraceous; the
clypeus strongly punctured ; the flagellum beneath, except the
two basal joints, fulvous. Thorax : the disk shining, strongly
but not very closely punctured, thinly covered with short
ochraceous pubescence ; the wings fulvo -hyaline, the nervures
and tegulae pale testaceous; the legs dark rufo-piceous, the
floccus pale ochraceous, and having a silvery brightness be-
neath; the apical joints of the tarsi pale ferruginous. Abdomen
subcordate, slightly depressed, very finely and closely punc-
tured ; the base pubescent, the apical margin of the first and
three following segments having a fascia of short ochraceous
pubescence, the apical fimbria rufo-fuscous : beneath strongly
punctured, the margins of the segments rufo-testaceous, the
three apical ones ciliated with long pale hairs. B.M.
The only British specimen of this insect known is in the Bri-
tish Museum ; it was formerly in the cabinet of the late Mr.
Stephens ; there is an excellent figure of it in Mr. Curtis' s
104 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
' British Entomology/ It is strange that no second specimen
should have been met with, as these insects are usually distri-
buted in different localities, although some are much less abun-
dant than others. A species very closely resembling it is de-
scribed in the ' Catalogue of Andrenidse/ published by the
Trustees of the British Museum ; it is from Albania, and varies
much in its colouring, whence its name, A. variabilis.
65. Andrena Collinsonana.
A. atra, cinereo-subpubescens ; thorace pallide villoso ; abdo-
mine utrinque strigis tribus albis ; scopa pallide argenteo-
nitida, supra subfusca.
Melitta Collinsonana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 153. 93^.
Melitta proxima, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 146. 95 $ .
Melitta digitalis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 159. 99 $ var.
Andrena proxima, Smith, Zool. v. 1918. 50.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the face below the antennae
densely clothed with short cinereous pubescence ; on the vertex
and disk of the thorax it is somewhat ochraceous ; the antennae
half the length of the thorax ; the thorax coarsely punctured
on the disk ; the sides of the metathorax thickly fringed with
pale pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, having a fulvous tinge
towards their apex, the nervures ferruginous ; the floccus white ;
the legs have a silvery pubescence, the scopa of a silvery bright-
ness, tinged with yellow above ; the basal joint of the posterior
tarsi sometimes fuscous towards the apex within ; the apical
joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen subovate, shining and
convex ; the apical margins of the intermediate segments have
a lateral white fringe, the apical fimbria is bright golden-yellow,
slightly fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. The face has a cinereous pubescence,
the head wider than the thorax, the antennae nearly as long ;
the pubescence on the thorax and legs cinereous, faintly tinged
with ochraceous on the disk of the former, the wings as in the
other sex ; the basal joint of the tarsi has a golden pubescence
within, their apical joints pale rufo-testaceous. Abdomen ovate-
lanceolate, shining, and fringed as in the female ; at the apex
some bright glittering yellow pubescence ; beneath, the three
apical segments are fringed with bright golden-yellow pubes-
cence. B.M.
This species is not found in the London district ,* it occurs at
Weybridge, at Bristol, and in Hampshire. An examination of a
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 105
series of specimens enables us satisfactorily to determine the
range of variation to which the species is liable ; thus, the basal
joint of the posterior tarsi is sometimes entirely golden-yellow
within, but at other times it is fuscous towards the apex ; the
latter variety is the M. digitalis of Kirby. The sexes have a
strong general resemblance ; their abdomen is of a deeper black
than is usual in the Andrenida.
66. Andrena Lewinella.
A. nigra, pallide villosa; thorace tarsisque rufescentibus ; ab-
dominis segmentis intermediis utrinque albo-strigatis.
Melitta Lewinella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 149. 88 <J .
Andrena Lewinella, Smith, Zool v. 1923. 58.
Male. Length 3f lines. Black ; the face clothed with pale ful-
vous pubescence, the antennae nearly as long as the thorax.
Thorax : the disk clothed with dark rufous pubescence ; the
wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their apical margins, the
nervures testaceous ; the legs have a griseous pubescence, the
tarsi, and posterior tibiae at their apex, rufo-testaceous. Abdo-
men fuscous, ovate-lanceolate, at the base a little pale pubes-
cence, the intermediate segments have on each side a white
marginal fringe, at the apex a little pale pubescence. B.M.
A specimen of this species was captured in Sussex by Mr. S.
Stevens ; its female is not known; A. Lewinella is very like the
male of A. denticulata.
67. Andrena Wilkella.
A. atra, subvillor>a; abdominis segmentis intermediis utrinque
albo-marginatis.
Melitta Wilkella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 145. 84 $ .
Andrena Wilkella, Smith, Zool. v. 1918. 49.
Female. Length 5f lines. Black ; the face has on each side a
little pale fulvous pubescence, the flagellum is rufo-piceous be-
neath. Thorax shining, thinly clothed with pale fulvous pu-
bescence ; the wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures testaceous ; the
legs have a pale fulvous pubescence, that on the femora gri-
seous ; the posterior tibiae and the basal joint of the tarsi pale
rufous, the tarsi ferruginous ; the floccus pale yellowish-white,
the scopa pale fulvous, the tarsi fulvous beneath. Abdomen
oblong-ovate, impunctate, the apical margins of the interme-
F 5
106 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
diate segments have a white marginal fringe on each side, the
apical fimbria pale fulvous. B.M.
This species closely approaches A. chrysosceles, but it is larger,
and its abdomen is not punctured.
68. Andrena xanthura.
A. atra, pallide villosa; ano, tibiis plantisque posticis rufescen-
tibus ; abdomine fasciis albidis interruptis.
Melitta xanthura, Kir&y, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 164. 105 $ $ .
Melitta ovatula, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 149. 89 $ var.
Andrena xanthura, Smith, Zool. v. 1928. 67.
Nyland. Revis.Ap. Boreal p. 257. 24.
Andrena chrysosceles, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 218. 15 ^ $ .
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the face covered with
short griseous pubescence ; the labrum ciliated with bright
golden-yellow hairs ; the pubescence on the vertex is sparing,
and rufo-fulvous ; the apical joints of the flagellum piceous
beneath. Thorax : the pubescence on the disk rufo-fulvous,
sparing, but dense on the sides and on the post-scutellum ; on
the sides of the metathorax it is much paler ; the tegulse rufo-
piceous, the wings fulvo-hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical
margins, the nervures ferruginous ; the pubescence on the tho-
rax beneath and the fringe on the femora griseous, the floccus
yellowish-white ; the tarsi and the posterior tarsi rufo-testa-
ceous, the anterior and intermediate tarsi more or less obscure;
the scopa of a golden-yellow. Abdomen oblong- ovate, slightly
depressed, shining, very delicately and closely punctured ; the
apical margins of the three intermediate segments have a nar-
row fringe of white pubescence, the first and second widely
interrupted ; the apical fimbria bright fulvous ; the margins of
the segments beneath ciliated with long pale fulvous hairs.
B.M.
Male. Length 3^-5 lines. The face clothed with reddish-brown
pubescence, rather paler on the clypeus; the flagellum rufo-
testaceous towards the apex beneath, and nearly as long as the
thorax ; the disk of the thorax has a similar pubescence to the
face, on the sides of the metathorax it is much paler, as is also
that on the legs ; the wings as in the other sex ; the tarsi be-
neath have a golden-yellow pubescence. Abdomen oblong-
ovate, convex, slightly shining, very closely and finely punc-
tured ; the margins of the segments depressed, the intermediate
ones having a narrow fringe of pale pubescence, usually more
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 107
or less interrupted, the extreme apex covered with glittering
golden-yellow hairs. B.M.
The above descriptions are from examples in the finest con-
dition ; the females when old have the pubescence usually rather
paler ; that of the males becomes entirely cinereous.
This species is extremely abundant near London during May
and the two following months; it usually appears about the
middle of May, and abounds in the neighbourhood of Hamp-
stead | it burrows in hard sandy pathways ; I have frequently
captured the sexes in coitu, arid have received specimens from
Scotland and Ireland.
Genus 6. MACROPIS.
Megilla, pt, Fdbr. Syst. Piez. p. 332 (1804).
Macropis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 107. 16 (1809).
King, MSS.
Head transverse, about the width of the thorax; the stem-
mata placed in a slight curve on the vertex ; antennae inserted
in the middle of the face ; the scape subclavate ; the first joint
of the flagellum ovate, the second joint narrowed at its base,
the apical joint obliquely truncate. The mentum narrowed
towards the base, thrice the length of the labium ; the labial
palpi four-jointed, the basal joint as long as the two following,
the apical one shortest ; the labium lanceolate, the paraglossse
minute. The maxillary palpi six-jointed, as long as the apical
lobe. The superior wings having one marginal and two sub-
marginal cells, the second submarginal cell receiving the two re-
current nervures; the posterior tibiae and tarsi incrassate, and
having a dense scopa of short pubescence in the female. Abdo-
men ovate.
1. Macropis labiata.
M. nigra, fusca, cinerascenti-villosa ; tibiis posticis externe
albido-lanatis ; metatarsis externe fuscis ; abdomine fasciis
tribus albidis, p rima mterrupta.
Macropis labiata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 107. 16.
Smith, Zool. iv. 1279. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 248. 1 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 269. 1.
108 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
: Megilla labiata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 333. 21 g .
Leon Dufour, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. vii. 288. t. 9. f, 3 $ ,
Megilla fulvipes, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 332. 20 $ , Sf Mus. Kiel
Female. Length 4 lines. Black ; the head and thorax strongly
and closely punctured, the face has a thinly scattered short gri-
seous pubescence ; the flagelium beneath fulvo-testaceous.
Thorax : a short griseous pubescence on the sides and beneath ;
.the wings subhyaline, the tegulae rufo-piceous, the nervures
ferruginous; the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous, fringed
with fulvous pubescence ; on the basal joints as well as on the
tibiae it is rufo-fuscous ; the posterior tibia? densely covered ex-
ternally with white pubescence, sometimes tinged with yellow ;
that at the apex as well as that on the basal joint of the
tarsi dark fuscous, the tarsi ferruginous beneath. Abdomen
shining, very delicately punctured, the apical margins of the
segments rufo-piceous, the third and fourth having a narrow
white fascia, the first usually interrupted, the apex covered with
fuscous pubescence, having a few white hairs at the sides.
Male. Length 4 lines. Antennae nearly as long as the head
and thorax, the scape having a yellow spot in front, the flagel-
ium fulvo-testaceous beneath ; the face below the insertion of
the antennae and a spot at the base of the mandibles yellow;
.the thorax shining, punctured, and having a thin pale fulvous
pubescence, at the sides of the metathorax it is griseous ; that
on the legs is short and pale fulvous ; the apical joints of the
tarsi rufo-testaceous, the posterior tibiae and femora incrassate,
'the calcaria pale testaceous. Abdomen globose and shining ; the
apical margins of the third and of the three following segments
have a narrow pale marginal fringe, the first interrupted.
B.M.
Of this rare insect only three British collections possess spe-
cimens, and these are all males ; that in the British Museum was
probably the first captured in this country, and was taken by Dr.
Leach ; the second was met with by Mr. T. Walton in the New
Forest ; and Mr. Samuel Stevens captured a third at Weybridge,
July 4th, 1842. The species is no doubt very rare; not only the
precise spot where Mr. Stevens took it, but also the surrounding
country has been searched every season since its capture without
its being again met with.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 109
Genus 7. CILISSA.
Andrena, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 307 (1793).
Melitta, pt., Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. i. 140. t. 3**e. f. 8, 9 (1802).
Cilissa, Leach, Edin. Encycl. 9 (1812).
Kirbya, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 145 (1841)
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. 374 (1804).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a curve on the vertex ;
the flagellum of the antennae filiform, the apical joint obliquely
truncate ; the inentum obtuse at the base, and acute in the
middle at the apex ; the labial palpi four-jointed, not quite so
long as the labium ; the labiura lanceolate, acute at the apex ;
the paraglossae minute. The maxillary palpi six-jointed. The
wings as in the genus Andrena.
The economy of this genus of bees is precisely similar to that
of the genus Andrena ; we are only acquainted with three species
which inhabit Europe, two of which occur in England ; a third
species occurs in Sweden, and a fourth in the United States.
These insects are of rare occurrence ; the C. leporina occurs but
rarely in the neighbourhood of London ; it burrows in sandy
banks ; in the month of July 1852 a small colony was discovered
on Hampstead Heath.
1. Cilissa haemorrhoidalis.
C. atra, pallide subpubescens, thoracis limbo fulvescenti ; abdo-
mine ovato, basi retuso, ano fulvo-aureo.
Andrena haemorrhoidalis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 313. 25 $ ; Syst. Piez.
p. 327. 24.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 65. 20.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 459. 1.
Melitta chrysura, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 172. 110 < .
SI. Farg. Hym. ii. 214. 2.
Cilissa hsemorrhoidalis, Leach, Edin. Encycl. ix. 155.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2207. 1.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p 268. 3.
Kirbya chrysura, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 146. 2.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 246. 1.
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black; the face clothed with
short pale fulvous pubescence; the flagellum, except the ex-
treme base, fulvo-piceous beneath ; the margin of the vertex
fringed with black pubescence. Thorax : the middle of the
110 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
disk clothed with black pubescence, around which it is fulvous,
on the sides and beneath it is paler; legs dark rufo-piceous,
their pubescence short and fulvous, the scopa bright fulvous,
the tarsi beneath ferruginous, the apical joint pale rufo-testa-
ceous ; wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their apical mar-
gins, the nervures fusco-ferruginous. Abdomen oblong-ovate,
subdepressed, at the base a little pale pubescence ; the apical
margins of the intermediate segments have a very narrow fringe
of white pubescence, frequently more or less obliterated, the
fifth and sixth segments densely clothed with golden-fulvous
pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. The face densely clothed with bright
pale fulvous pubescence; antennae subdentate beneath, not
quite so long as the thorax, the apex of each joint of the flagel-
lum produced beneath. Thorax : the middle of the disk
having a thin black pubescence, the rest of thorax densely
clothed with pale fulvous, the legs have a similar clothing,
the apical joint of the tarsi ferruginous; wings subhyaline,
faintly clouded at their margins, the nervures ferruginous.
Abdomen elongate-ovate, convex, the two basal segments have
a thin pale pubescence, on the following it is black, intermixed
at the sides with pale fulvous hairs. B.M.
This is a very local insect ; it is not uncommon however about
Shirley, near Croydon ; in the month of August, it may be found
where the blue-bells grow, for it does not appear to frequent any
other flower ; I have also met with it at Hawley, Hants ; Mr.
Walcott has found it in abundance near Bristol.
2. Cilissa leporina.
C. atra, pallide pubescens, antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis ;
abdominis segmentis distincte ciliatis.
Apis leporina, Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 63. 22 <j> .
Anthophora leporina, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 374. 7.
Melitta tricincta, Kirby, Man. Ap. Anyl. ii. 171. 109.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 213. 1.
Cilissa tricincta, Leach, Edin, Encycl. ix. p. 155.
Smith, Zool. vi. 2208. 2 <J ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal Revis. p. 267. 1.
Kirby a tricincta, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 145. 1 !
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Supp. 102 $ .
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with short
pale fulvous pubescence, that on the vertex black ; the flagellum,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. Ill
except the basal joint, rufo-piceous beneath. Thorax : in the
middle of the disk the pubescence is black, but sparing, sur-
rounding which it is dense and fulvous; at the sides of the
metathorax it is paler ; the anterior femora, the coxae and tro-
chanters are covered beneath with long dense cinereous pubes-
cence ; the pubescence on the legs above is pale fulvous, and
on the tarsi beneath ferruginous ; the legs dark rufo-piceous,
the claws pale testaceous ; the wings hyaline, their apical mar-
gins faintly clouded, the nervures and tegulae rufo-piceous.
Abdomen ovate and shining, the base has a thin pale pubes-
cence, the apical margins of the first and three following seg-
ments have a fascia of pale fulvous pubescence, the apical
fimbria black. B.M.
Male. Length 5 lines. The face densely clothed with bright
pale fulvous pubescence ; the flagellum beneath, except the ex-
treme base, fulvo-piceous ; the joints submoniliform ; the thorax
has a fulvous pubescence intermingled with black hairs in the
middle of the disk ; the wings and legs as in the other sex.
Abdomen oblong-ovate, the two basal segments have a thin
pale fulvous pubescence, on the other segments it is black,
each having a fringe of pale fulvous pubescence ; on the apical
segment the pubescence is black in the middle and pale fulvous
at the sides. B.M.
The pubescence on both species of this genus is beautifully
plumose. The localities known for this insect are Battersea
Fields, Hampstead Heath, Gravesend, Erith, Charlton, and Haw-
ley in Hampshire. Little doubt existed of this being the Apis
leporina of Panzer, as will be seen on referring to the catalogue
of Andrenida in the British Museum ; but Dr. Nylander has
seen the typical specimen of Fabricius in the museum at Kiel,
and his judgment may be confidently relied upon.
Genus 8. DASYPODA.
Andrena, pt., Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 307 (1793).
Apis, pt., Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 335.
Melitta, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. i. 140. t. 4**c. cont. (1802).
Dasypoda, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 369 (1805).
Trachusa, Jurine, p. 250.
The labial palpi four-jointed, placed in a line, the joints sub-
clavate, the basal one longest and stoutest, the apical joint
minute ; the labiuni elongate-lanceolate, folded when in repose,
112 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
a little longer than the palpi. The maxillary palpi six-jointed,
each joint gradually decreasing in length. The ocelli placed
in a slight curve on the vertex. The superior wings have one
marginal and two submarginal cells; the second submarginal
receiving the two recurrent nervures, the first just within at the
base, the second at a little more than one-third from its apex.
1. Dasypoda hirtipes.
D. atra, pallide villosa; pedibus posticis fulvo longissime lanatis;
abdomine fasciis tribus albidis.
Anclrena hirtipes, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 312. 24 ? .
Apis hirta, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 335. 92 $ .
Andrena plumipes, Panz. Faun. Germ. 46. 16.
Apis farfarisequa, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 14 $ .
Dasypoda hirta, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. S36. 2.
Melitta Swammerdamella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 174. 111.
Dasypoda hirtipes, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 369. 1.
'St. Farg. Hym. ii. 229. 1. t. 22. f. 1 ? , 2 $ .
Smith, Zool. vi. 2241. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 225. 1.
Trachusa hirtipes, Jurine, Hym. p. 250.
Dasypoda plumipes, Leach, Edin. Encycl. ix. 155.
Dasypoda Swammerdamella, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. t. 367 $ ? .
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the face
below the insertion of the antennae cinereous, above it is black,
sparing on the vertex. Thorax : the pubescence on the middle
of the disk black surrounded with fulvous, on the sides and
beneath it is very pale ; beneath, densely clothed with cine-
reous pubescence ; wings hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical
margins, the nervures rufo-piceous ; the anterior and interme-
diate tarsi have the basal joint above clothed with fuscous pu-
bescence, beneath it is fulvous ; the scopa very long, dense and
bright fulvous. Abdomen subovate, at the base a little cine-
reous pubescence, the three intermediate segments have a
fascia of white pubescence on their apical margins, the first in-
terrupted ; the apical fimbria sooty-black.
Male. Length 5-6^ lines. The pubescence on the clypeus,
cheeks, thorax beneath, and the fringe of the anterior and inter-
mediate femora white ; on the vertex and thorax above it is
fulvous; the legs have a long pale fulvous pubescence; the
wings subhyaline, the nervures and tegulae ferruginous ; the
tarsi have the claw-joint rufo- testaceous. Abdomen ovate Ian-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 113
ceolate, the apical margins of the segments testaceous, each
segment has a long fringe of pale fulvous pubescence.
This is perhaps the most beautiful bee found in the country ;
the appearance of the female when loaded with pollen is suffi-
ciently singular to attract the attention of the most apathetic
observer ; the description of each sex is from specimens in the
most perfect and beautiful state of colouring, having been reared
from cells dug up in spring. The males from exposure are fre-
quently met with entirely hoary ; the females do not vary much
in colouring. The species is not found in the immediate vicinity
of London, but has been taken in the sand-pits opposite Charl-
ton Church. It abounds in San down Bay, Isle of Wight, par-
ticularly on the top of the cliffs. It is very abundant below
Southend; and occurs at Paul's Cray, Gravesend, and Birch
Wood, Kent ; at Weybridge, and at Hawley, Hants ; its time of
appearance is the beginning of August ; but the female has been
captured as late as the 6th of September.
Fam. 2. Apidae.
API\RT^, Latr. Plist. Nat. Ins. (1802).
APIDA, Leach, Edin. Encycl. (1812).
APIDES, Leach, Edin. Encycl. (1812).
APIDAE, Leach, Edin. Encycl. (1817).
APITES, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. (1834).
Subfamily 1. ANDRENOIDES.
Andrenoides, Latr. Fam. Nat. (1825).
Panurgites, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. (1834).
Panurgides, Westw. Mr. Class. Ins. (1840).
Genus 1. PANUKGUS.
Apis, pt., Scop. Ent. Carn.p. 298 (1763).
Philanthus, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 288 a 793).
Andrena,pt., Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 69 (1800).
Trachusa, pt., Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 96 (1800).
Dasypoda, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 335 (1804).
Panurgus, Panz. Krit. Revis. 211 (1805).
Eriops, King, Illig.Mag. vi. (1806).
Of the insects included in this genus, we are only acquainted
with two species indigenous to this country ; indeed it is one of
114 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
very limited extent, since only two others are known, one Euro-
pean, the other African. These bees are very similar in structure
to the Andrenida ; the females possess the scopa on the tibiae, and
the apical fringe on the abdomen, and their tarsi are of similar
construction to those of the Andrenidce, but their tongue is
folded at the apex when in repose. In habit they are precisely
similar to Andrena, excavating burrows and laying up a store of
pollen and honey in a similar manner ; they are bees of summer,
the most abundant species being the Panurgus Banksianus,
which forms large colonies in retired sandy spots on heaths,
making its appearance in July : for years such a community has
existed on the north side of the Vale of Health, Hampstead
Heath, where in spring I have met with the larvae in small cells
about six inches beneath the surface, and have reared both sexes ;
they do not change to nymphs many days before arriving at
their perfect condition, usually twenty or twenty-five days. The
second species is more local, but very plentiful in many situa-
tions, forming colonies in hard trodden footpaths : a light-
coloured fly (Miltogrammd) is frequently to be seen entering its
burrows. These bees do not appear to frequent any other
flowers than those of the Mouse-ear I lawkweed.
1. Panurgus calcaratus.
P. ater, nitidus, glabriusculus ; antennis dimidiato-rufis.
Apis calcarata, Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 301. 803 $ .
Philanthus ater, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 292. 13 <? .
Apis ursina, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 178. 1, var. /3 $ .
Apis Linriaeella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 179. 2 $ .
Andrena lobata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 16 $ .
Dasypoda lobata, Fabr. SysL Piez. p. 336. 3 $ .
Trachusa lobata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 96. 18$.
Panurgus ater, Panz. Krit. Revis. p. 211 $ .
Panurgus unicolor, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 2. p. 54. 42 ?
Panurgus lobatus, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 719. 3 $ $ .
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 225. 2 <? ? .
Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii. p. 102.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 224. 1.
Panurgus calcaratus, Smith. Zool iv. 1452. 2 $ $
Female. Length 3|-4 lines. Jet-black, shining, nearly naked ;
the face has a little black pubescence, the scape pubescent, the
flagellum, except two or three of the basal joints, pale testaceous
beneath. The disk of the thorax very smooth and shining,
the metathorax rounded behind ; the wings hyaline, the ner-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 115
vures dark rufo-testaceous ; the posterior tibiae and basal joint
of the tarsi have a dense scopa of fulvous pubescence, the cal-
caria and apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen ovate,
the margins of the segments subdepressed, the apical fimbria
fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 3-4 lines. Very closely resembling the female,
but having the head larger than the thorax, sometimes half as
wide again ; the flagellum, except two or three of the basal
joints, pale rufo-testaceous ; the posterior femora have an ob-
tuse tooth towards their base beneath ; the posterior tibiae
clavate, bent inwards, the tibiae and tarsi have a scattered pale
fulvous pubescence, the calcaria and apical joint of the tarsi
pale ferruginous. B.M.
This species is not found in the immediate vicinity of
London ; the nearest locality is the north-east corner of Black-
heath, and along the road-side leading to Charlton. In the
months of July and August this bee will be found frequenting
the Mouse-ear Hawkweed, and in some localities it is plentiful,
but is very local ; it occurs at Luccomb Chine, and at the land-
slip at Bonchurch, Isle of Wight; at Betsome, near Darent
Wood, Kent, at Weybridge, and at Hawley, Hants ; the males
may be found, towards evening, enclosed in the flowers, three or
four in some instances ; and by this means a number may be
taken.
2. Panurgus Banksianus.
P. ater, supra glabriusculus ; pedibus posticis fulvo-hirsutissimis,
in mare atris.
Apis Banksiana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 179. 3^.
Don. Brit. Ins. xii. 26. t. 403. f. 2.
Apis ursina, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 178. 1, not var. {3.
Dasypoda ursina, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiii. 370. 2 $ .
Trachusa atra, Panz. Faun. Germ. 96. 19 ^ .
Panurgus ater, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 720. 5 $ $ .
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 3. p. 196. 1.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 226. 4.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 224. 1.
Panurgus ursinus, Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii. t. 101.
Smitk.Zool.fr. 1451. 1.
Female. Length 4|-5i lines. Black, shining and nearly naked,
the face below the insertion of the antennae has a short black
pubescence, and the sides of the head and cheeks are thinly
clothed with long black hairs ; the labrum ciliated with bright
116 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
yellow hairs, the mandibles ferruginous at their apex ; the
flagellum nigro-piceous beneath. Thorax : the wings sub-
hyaline, the nervures ferruginous ; sometimes the wings are
slightly fuscous ; the tegulae rufo-testaceous ; the femora, and
anterior tibiae at their base above, have a black pubescence ;
the intermediate tibiae, the apex of the anterior pair and the
tarsi have a fulvous pubescence ; the posterior tibiae and basal
joint of the tarsi have a dense scopa of long bright fulvous
pubescence. Abdomen ovate, the margins of the segments
depressed, the apical fimbria fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 5 lines.' Very closely resembling the female ;
but the head is wider and more pubescent ; the tibiae and tarsi
have a thin fulvous pubescence, the apical joints of the latter
rufo-testaceous ; the apex of the abdomen bilobate, the lobes
ferruginous. B.M.
This species is much more abundant than P. calcaratus. It
abounds on Hampstead Heath, and is met with on many of the
heaths in Kent, Surrey and Hampshire ; the time of its appear-
ance is July and August. It has not been found in the north
of England or in Scotland.
Subfamily 2. CUCULIN^, Latr.
Genus 2. NOMADA.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419 (1761).
Noraada, pt., Fabr. Syst. Ent. 388 (1775).
Body destitute of pollinigerous appendages. Head trans-
verse, as wide as the thorax ; antennae geniculated, filiform,
nearly as long as the thorax ; the labrum transverse, its anterior
margin rounded ; mandibles bidentate, in the males simple, and
rounded at their apex. The mentum slightly narrowed at the
base, the labium of the same length as the mentum, broad and
narrowed a little before the apex, which is rounded ; the labium
is grooved and transversely striated ; the paraglossae about one-
fourth the length of the labium ; the labial palpi four-jointed,
continuous, a little shorter than the labium, the basal joint longer
than the three following, the second about one-fifth of the length
of the basal joint, the two following each shorter than the pre-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 117
ceding. The maxillary palpi six -jointed, nearly as long as the
apical lobe ; the basal joint minute, the second and third joints
of about equal length, the remainder gradually decreasing in
length, and each more slender than the preceding. The superior
wings have one marginal and three submarginal cells, the second
submarginal receiving the first, and the third the second recur-
rent nervure. Legs simple in both sexes. Abdomen : the apical
segment truncate at the apex in the females, acute in the
males.
The bees belonging to this genus are popularly known by the
name of Wasp-bees, from their close resemblance in their gay
colouring to the smaller species of Vespida ; they are however
true bees, and constitute the most beautiful of all the genera
found in this country ; notwithstanding the generally received
history of their economy, we shall search in vain for much pre-
cise information. In the Entomological Magazine we learn that
they deposit their eggs in the nests of other bees at the time
when the working bees deposit theirs ; and that when hatched,
the larva being stronger and larger than the rightful possessor
of the cell, it consumes the food of its companion and starves
it to death : all this however is mere conjecture ; the larva of
these parasites must always be smaller than that of the working
bee, No one appears to know anything beyond the mere fact of
their entering the burrows of Andrenidce and Apida, except that
they are found in the cells of the working bees in their perfect
condition : it is most probable that they deposit on the provision
laid up by the working bee, that they close up the cell, and that
the working bee, finding an egg deposited, commences a fresh
cell for her own progeny. My reason for thinking it probable
that the parasite closes the cell, is that I have frequently captured
Nomadce and MelectcB with masses of clay attached to their pos-
terior tibiae ; and in the well-known genus of exotic parasitic bees,
Crocisa, specimens are of frequent occurrence which have masses
of clay or mixed earth on their tibiae ; this however requires, and
is deserving of, further investigation. I have found several of the
species in the cells of Andrenidce these will be mentioned under
the respective species. It is, however, necessary to record one
instance which throws some light upon the economy of the
genus. Some years ago, in the month of June, I met with a
large colony of Eucera longicornis, and observed great numbers
of Nomada sexfasciata flying about amongst the bees, and occa-
sionally entering into and issuing from their burrows. In the
beginning of April of the following year I visited the locality for
the purpose of obtaining males of the Nomada, as very few were
118 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
found when the colony was first discovered : the cells of Eucera
were found at about the depth of eight inches in a stiff clayey
soil ; of these a considerable number were obtained : on exami-
nation, many of the bees were found to be in the pupa state,
some far advanced towards their perfect condition, others still
larva? ; on opening one cell, it was found to contain two speci-
mens of Nomada sexfasciata. Since the former visit I have on
several occasions obtained the cells of Eucera, and have endea-
voured to find the larva of Nomada, but in vain ; perfect indi-
viduals of N. sexfasciata have been found in the cells of Eucera
on several occasions, usually two in each cell, and once a pair of
N. alternata.
Another circumstance connected with these parasites remains
to be noticed. Certain species appear to be constant in their
attacks on particular species of Andrena, others as constantly on
those of Halictus ; the species Nomada varia appears to confine
its attacks to the nests of Halictus abdominalis and H. rubi-
cundus ; N. solidaainis to that of H . leucozonius : A T . furva
enters the burrows of H. morio ; but I would by no means be
understood as stating these combinations to be undeviating ; it
will no doubt be found that many species attach themselves to
any bee which supplies a suitable provision for its larva.
1. Nomada rnficornis.
N. ferruginea ; thorace lineis tribus longitudinalibus atris ; ab-
denrine maculis fasciisque flavis.
Apis ruficornis, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1707 ; Syst. Nat. i. 958. 34, ty*
Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc. ? .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 210. 27.
Nomada ruficornis, Fair. Syst. Ent. p. 389. 3 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 347. 7 ;
Syst. Piez. p. 509. 2.
Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 112. 933.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 18.
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 50. 1.
Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 279. 9.
St. Farg. Encycl. Meth. viii. 366. 7 $ ? ; Hym. ii. 498. 29.
Blanch. Hist. Nat. Ins. iii. 411.
Smith, Zool. ii. 596. 9.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 180. 10.
Nomada flava, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 21 ^ .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 391.4.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 221. 165.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 179. 8.
Apis flava, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 186. 8 $ .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 119
Apis leucophthalma, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 197. 16<var.
Noraada conjungens, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 279. 8 $ .
Female. Length 3-5 lines. Head and thorax black, the cly-
peus and a spot above it, a line encircling the eyes, the labrum,
mandibles and antennae rufous; the scape has sometimes a
black line at the sides. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, and a
large patch on the sides beneath the wings, an epaulet over the
tegula3, the scutellum, two minute spots beneath uniting with
a larger patch on each side of the metathorax, two broad stripes
on the disk, the tegulae and legs, rufous ; the femora more or
less black at the base beneath ; the coxae and trochanters also
sometimes stained ; the wings fusco-hyaline and having a dark
narrow fuscous cloud at their apical margins. Abdomen rufous,
the base and the apical margins more or less black, the
second segment having on each side a large angular yellow
macula, the two following a broad fascia, and the fifth a large
quadrate spot, yellow r ; sometimes obscurely variegated with
yellow -testaceous bands or spots beneath. B.M.
Male. Length 3-4^ lines. The scape in front, the clypeus,
the face on each side, the labrum and mandibles, yellow ; the
latter ferruginous at their tips ; the flagellum ferruginous, four
or five of the basal joints above, as well as the scape above,
black. Thorax black ; the tubercles, two spots on the scutel-
lum, and the legs rufous ; the coxse, except at the apex, black ;
the trochanters behind, the anterior and intermediate femora
beneath at the base, and the posterior pair, except a line above,
black ; sometimes a black line on the tibiae behind. Abdomen
rufous, the base black, the second and following segments
having a broad yellow band ; the apical margins of the segments
rufo-piceous ; beneath, the second and following segments
have a transverse broad yellow macula ; sometimes entirely ru-
fous beneath, or varied with indistinct fuscous bands and yellow
spots ; the yellow bands on the abdomen above are frequently
much attenuated in the middle, one or two of the apical ones
being sometimes interrupted. B.M.
It were vain to attempt to describe all the shades of variety
in the markings of this species, particularly those of the males ;
but the most prominent are pointed out, and the extremes most
commonly met with ; some of the very small examples of the
males have the scape and two or three joints of the flagellum
nearly black ; the brightness of the rufous colouring also varies
considerably, from a deep brick-red to a light red ; the dark-co-
loured examples have the wings also of deeper hue ; the spots
on the metathorax of the female are sometimes obliterated, or
120 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
partially so ; the spots on the scutellum of the male frequently
disappear ; and a variety is met with, but rarely, in which the
rufous spots are replaced by yellow ones. This species may be
noticed entering the burrows of Andrena Trimmer ana, A. nitida,
A. varia and A. fulva ; its attacks are very general.
N. rujicornis is perhaps the most universally distributed spe-
cies of the genus; it is found in all parts of the United Kingdom,
throughout Europe, and also in North America and Canada.
2. Nomada later alls.
N. atra, thorace rufo obscure quadri-lineato ; abdomine rufo,
segmento secundo macula magna utrinque laterale, reliquis
margine postice pallide flavescentibus.
Nomada lateralis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 96. 20 $ & 21 ? .
Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 227. 5.
St. Farff. Encycl. Meth. viii. 370. 25.
Schaff'. Icon. Ins. Ratisb. t. 50. f. 1 0.
Smith, Zool. \\.Wl. 16<J ?.
Nomada melanosoma, Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 280. 11 $ .
Female. Length 3-4 lines. Head and thorax black, the man-
dibles, labrum, clypeus and a minute spot above, a line encir-
cling the eyes and the antennae, red, the latter have their scape
fuscous above, and are as long as the thorax. Thorax : the
collar, tubercles, a large patch on the breast, the tegulse and
scutellum, red ; four obscure red lines on the disk of the thorax
rufous ; the femora, tibiae and tarsi red ; the femora more or
less black towards their base beneath, the posterior pair black
within, except at their apex ; the coxae and trochanters red at
their apex. Abdomen rufous, the base black, the second seg-
ment having on each side a large subovate yellow macula,
pointed within, the third has a minute yellow macula, the
fourth a transverse subinterrupted fascia, the fifth a square
yellow patch ; beneath immaculate, or with the margins of the
segments slightly piceous.
Male. Length 3f-4i lines. Head and thorax black, the labrum
and clypeus clothed with a silvery-white pubescence ; the cly-
peus anteriorly, the face on each side, and a narrow line along
the inner margin of the eyes as high as the insertion of the
antennae, the labrum and mandibles, yellow, the latter ferru-
ginous at their tips ; the scape yellow in front, black behind ;
the flagellum rufous, three or four of the basal joints have a
dark stain above. Thorax : the disk has a thin clothing of
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 121
pale ochraceous pubescence ; on the sides, metathorax and be-
neath it is white, the femora having a thin fringe of the same ;
the legs red, the coxae, trochanters, and femora beneath, as well
as a stain on the tibiae behind, black ; wings subhyaline in
both sexes, the superior pair fuscous at their tips. Abdomen
variegated with spots as in the female, but having those on the
third segment larger, and the general colour of the abdomen
of a lighter red ; beneath, the segments have a more or less
distinct transverse yellow stripe, narrowed or interrupted in the
middle. B.M.
This is a local and very beautiful species ; it is remarkable for
having its antennae longer than is usual in these insects. For~
merly I used occasionally to meet with a specimen or two on
Hampstead Heath about a colony of Andrena albicrus, but they
have long disappeared from that locality ; a few years ago, a
colony of Andrena longipes was discovered at Highgate, accom-
panied by this species in abundance, both having been previously
scarce. The latter locality is on the London side of Highgate
Archway, to the west of the high road.
3. Nomada baccata.
IV. atra, capite thoraceque ferrugineo variegatis : abdomine pe-
dibusque pallide ferrugineis : abdominis segmentis albo macu-
latis.
Nomada baccata, Smith, Zool. ii. 604. 20 $ $ ; Cat. Hym. Acul.
84.3.
Female. Length 3 lines. Pale rufous ; the ocelli enclosed in a
transverse black patch, which does not pass beyond them ; from
each side of the anterior ocellus a divergent black line passes
downwards, widening and uniting at the insertion of the an-
tennae ; a narrow black line also runs a short way down the
margins of the clypeus ; the cheeks are also black, the tips of
the mandibles rufo-piceous. Thorax : the disk has three
black lines passing from the collar to the scutellum, the central
one broadest ; the sides of the thorax behind the wings black,
the metathorax and scutellum usually of a paler red than the
disk ; the breast has a black stain in front ; the legs red, the
femora with a fuscous stain at their base beneath ; the wings
subhyaline, their apical margins having a fuscous cloud, the
tegulae and nervures ferruginous. Abdomen : the basal seg-
ment maculated at its base with black spots forming a letter
M ; the second segment has a large macula, rounded on the
122 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
outside and pointed within, the third a minute angular spot at
the extreme lateral margin, the fourth a transverse interrupted
line, and the fifth a square macula, white ; beneath rufous.
B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Head and thorax black; the clypeus,
labrum, mandibles and scape in front, pale yellowish-white ;
the scape black behind ; the flagellum red, the joints having a
fuscous line above, darkest towards their base ; the head and
thorax above have a thin hoary pubescence ; on the thorax be-
neath it is shorter, but more dense ; two spots on the scutellum
and the tegulse rufo-testaceous ; the legs of a paler red than in
the other sex ; wings as in the female. Abdomen pale rufous,
the extreme base black ; two transverse white spots on the first
segment ; the second has two large spots as in the female, the
following segments have elongated white spots on each side,
those on the fifth uniting, the sixth has a square patch ; beneath,
a transverse white line on the third and fourth segments in the
middle, but frequently immaculate.
I first had the pleasure of discovering this beautiful species near
Sandhurst some years ago ; it was parasitic on a new species of
Andrena, subsequently described as A. argentata : in 1843 the
latter was met with at Wey bridge, and the same parasite in-
fested its colony. Mr. Dale has met with the Andrena in Hamp-
shire, and one or two have been taken on Hawley Green, Hants.
4. Nomada ochrostoma,
N. atra ; labio, clypeo, facieique lateribus ferrugineis ; thorace
lineis tribus longitudinalibus atris, scutello rufo ; abdomine
flavo-maculato. Mas, scutello sanguineo, abdomine rufo,
fasciisque interruptis, flavis, variegato.
Apis ochrostoma, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Anyl. ii. 209. 26 $ .
Nomada ochrostoma, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 280. 13 $ .
Smith, Zool. ii. 596. 9.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 179. 9, 8f Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 229. 4.
Apis Hillana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 208. 25, $ var.
Nomada vidua, Smith, Zool. ii. 602. 18 ?.
Female. Length 4-4| lines. Head and thorax black, the
labrum, mandibles, clypeus, orbits of the eyes, and a line
passing behind the ocelli, ferruginous ; the antennae ferrugi-
nous, above black. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, a large patch
beneath the wings, a smaller ovate spot on the breast beneath,
two longitudinal stripes on the disk of the thorax, an epaulet
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 123
over the tegulae, reaching the scutellum and the post-scutellum,
red ; the wings subhyaline, their apical margins having a dark
fuscous cloud, and a pale macula beyond the third submarginal
cell ; the legs red, the coxae, trochanters, and femora, beneath,
black. Abdomen ferruginous, black at the base ; the second
segment has on each side a large rounded macula, the third a
minute spot, the fourth an interrupted transverse band, and
the fifth a square patch of yellowish-white ; the margins of the
segments usually dark rufo-piceous ; beneath, immaculate.
B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Head and thorax black : the face
clothed with silvery pubescence, the clypeus, labrum and man-
dibles yellow, the latter ferruginous at their tips ; the scape
black, having sometimes a ferruginous line within, the flagellum
ferruginous, more or less fuscous towards the base above.
Thorax : the collar, tubercles, tegulae and two spots on the
scutellum, frequently united, red ; the legs red, the coxae and
trochanters black, except their extreme apex ; the anterior and
intermediate femora black at their base beneath, the posterior
pair black beneath, except their extreme apex. Abdomen
ferruginous, black at the base, the second segment has on
each side a large rounded macula, the third a smaller spot or
line, the fourth a short stripe, and usually a minute dot out-
side, the fifth a transverse interrupted stripe, the sixth a broader
uninterrupted one, yellowish- white ; beneath, a minute yellow
spot at the apex. B.M.
Small specimens of the male have usually the scape, coxae and
trochanters entirely black.
This is a local species, although widely distributed; it was
formerly found at Colney Hatch Wood ; it is not uncommon at
the side of Bishop's Wood, Hampstead, where it has been ob-
served flying about the burrows of Andrena labialis, during the
month of May. It appears to frequent hedge-rows and wood
sides, in preference to open heaths or sandy situations.
5. Nomada borealis.
N. atra, clypei margine anguste rufo ; thorace toto nigro ; ab-
dominis segmento secundo macula marginali triangulari flava,
reliquis luteo-fasciatis.
Nomada borealis, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 470. 1 .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 181. 11.
Nomada inquilina, Smith, Zool. ii. 605. 213*$; *** AcuL Hym,
85. 5.
G2
124 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Head and thorax black ; the margin
of the clypeus, the labrum, mandibles, and a spot at the vertex
of the eyes, ferruginous ; the antennae beneath, the apex of the
joints above, and the extreme base and apex of the scape, fer-
ruginous; the third joint sometimes entirely so; the labrum
has a minute tooth in the middle. Thorax : the tegulae, tuber-
cles, and two spots on the scutellum, frequently united, ferru-
ginous ; the coxae and femora black, their extreme apex ferru-
ginous ; the tibiae and tarsi ferruginous, the anterior tibiae
having a black spot behind. Abdomen ferruginous, the base
black ; the second segment has a large ovate macula, pointed
within, the third a smaller spot, or sometimes a narrow
transverse line, the fourth a broader fascia, with a minute spot
beyond its termination laterally, and the fifth a quadrate ma-
cula, yellow ; the basal segment has usually a minute black dot
on each side, its apical margin, as well as those of the three
following segments, piceous. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Head and thorax black, the anterior
margin of the clypeus narrowly yellow ; the labrum and mandi-
bles yellow, the latter ferruginous at their tips ; the face thinly
covered with silvery-white pubescence, the antennae black, the
flagellum rufo-testaceous beneath. Thorax thinly covered with
a long griseous pubescence ; the wings subhyaline, faintly
clouded at their apical margins, the nervures and tegulae rufo-
testaceous; legs black, the anterior and intermediate femora
above, the tibiae and tarsi, ferruginous ; the anterior and inter-
mediate pairs have a black stain behind. Abdomen obscure
ferruginous, the base black, sometimes two yellow spots on the
basal segment, the second having a broad transverse yellow
fascia, usually interrupted ; the four following segments have
each a transverse fascia, the two first usually slightly interrupted,
but frequently the fasciae are entire ; beneath, obscure rufo-pice-
ous ; sometimes the third and fourth segments have an obscure
transverse yellow stripe, but are usually immaculate. B.M.
This species is rarely met with ; it was found on Hampstead
Heath some years ago, parasitic on Andrena ClarJcella, and has
been once or twice taken since ; the species was discovered near
Leominster by Mr. Newman. Since it was described under the
name of IV. inquilina, it has been received from Dr. Nylander
of Helsingfors, who reports that it is the N. borealis of Zetter-
stedt. This insect appears in the beginning of April.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 125
6. Nomada signata.
N. atra, thorace lineis quatuor longitudinalibus ferrugineis ; ab-
domine rufo, fasciisque flavis latis ornato.
Nomada signata, Jurine, Hym. t. 11. gen. 31 $ .
St. Farg. Encycl. Meth. 370. 25.
Smith, ZooL ii. 602. 17 $ $ .
Nomada flava, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. 279. 9.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Head and thorax black, the clypeus
anteriorly, a spot above it, the orbits of the eyes, the antennae,
labram and mandibles ferruginous ; the scape has a black line
outside. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, a large patch on the
breast on each side, a minute dot under the wings, four longi-
tudinal stripes on the disk, and the scutellum, ferruginous;
wings subhyaline, their apical margins having a dark fuscous
cloud, the tegulse ferruginous ; the legs ferruginous, the base
of the femora black ; the metathorax variegated on each side
with irregular stripes or spots. Abdomen ferruginous, the first
segment black at its base and having a broad irregularly waved
fascia, sometimes interrupted ; the following segments have a
broad yellow band, leaving a narrow rufo-piceous border on
the apical margins ; the second, third and fourth segments be-
neath have a transverse broad yellow stripe ; the stripes fre-
quently obscure. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. This sex closely resembles the fe-
male, but differs in having the labrum, margin of the clypeus
and the mandibles yellow ; the antennae fuscous above ; the
clypeus has a silvery pubescence ; the thorax black, the tu-
bercles yellow, the tegulse and two dots on the scutellum
ferruginous ; the basal segment of the abdomen has sometimes
an obscure yellow fascia, but it is usually obliterated, and there
are merely two black dots. B.M.
The only localities known for this species are Highgate, and
Hampstead Heath; it appears in April, and is usually abun-
dant.
7. Nomada Lathburiana.
N. atra, scutello punctis duobus flavescentibus ; abdomine fer-
rugineo, fasciis flavis, medio attenuatis.
Apis Lathburiana, Kirby, Man. Ap. Angl ii. 183. 6 $ .
126 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Apis rufiventris, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 187. 9 ? .
Nomada rufiventris, Smith, Zool. ii. 590. 2 $ $
Nomada Marshainella, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 176. 3.
Female. Length 4-5i lines. Head and thorax black, the
clypeus and a spot above it, the orbits of the eyes, the labrum,
mandibles and antennae, ferruginous, the scape black above.
Thorax : the tubercles and two spots on the scutellum yellow ;
a stripe down the breast in front and the legs ferruginous ; the
coxae more or less fuscous, and the posterior femora and tibiae
having a black stain beneath ; the wings subhyaline, their
apical margins having a fuscous cloud, the tegulae reddish-
yellow. Abdomen ferruginous, the base black ; the apical
margins of the first and three following segments rufo-fuscous ;
the apical margins bright yellow, the fifth entirely yellow ; be-
neath ferruginous, the apical margins of the segments black.
B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Head and thorax black ; the scape of
the antennae in front, the face below their insertion, the orbits
of the eyes, interrupted at their vertex, yellow ; the labrum
and mandibles yellow ; the flagellum ferruginous, three or four
of the basal segments black above. Thorax : the tubercles,
tegulae, two minute dots on the scutellum, yellow ; the anterior
legs yellow, the intermediate and posterior pairs ferruginous,
their coxae and femora black beneath, the knees and the inter-
mediate tibiae and tarsi yellow, the latter stained with fer-
ruginous. Abdomen as in the other sex, the yellow bands being
brighter and rather broader. The wings are nearly hyaline,
their apical margins faintly clouded, the nervures pale testa-
ceous. B.M.
This beautiful species is very local, but appears to be widely
distributed ; it is not uncommon at Hampstead and has been
received from Scotland ; it is parasitic upon Andrena labialis.
8. Nomada varia.
N. atra ; scutello sulphureo ; abdomine flavo, basi ferrugineo,.
fasciis quatuor nigris. Mas, scutello, tibiis extus, abdomi-
nisque fasciis posticis flavis, segmento basali rufo.
Nomada fucata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 19 $ .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 390. 3.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 151. 1.
Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 284. 22.
Smith, Zool. ii. 593. 5 <? ? .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 127
Nomada varia, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 20 $ .
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 152. 6.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 489. 22 <? . t. 24. f. 3 ? , 4 < .
Apis varia, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 185. 7 ^ .
Apis fucata, TSfz'r^y, Mow. Ap. Angl. ii. 195. 15 $ .
Female. Length 4-4J lines. Black; the clypeus and a spot
above it, the inner orbits of the eyes, the labrum, mandibles, and
antennae rufous. Thorax : the collar on each side, the tuber-
cles, tegulse and scutellum, sulphur-yellow ; sometimes a minute
dot on the post-scutellum ; wings testaceo-hyaline, very faintly
clouded at their margins, the nervures ferruginous ; legs rufous,
the coxae, the intermediate and posterior trochanters, and the
extreme base of the femora, black. Abdomen : the basal seg-
ment ferruginous, the following yellow : the extreme base, the
apical margin of the first, and the apical and basal margins of
the three following segments, black. B.M.
Var. /3. The apical margin of the basal segment rufo-piceous.
Var. y. The second segment ferruginous in the middle.
Male. Length 4-4 lines. Head and thorax black ; the scape
in front, the clypeus and a spot above it, the face on each side,
the labrum and mandibles, yellow, the latter rufo-piceous at
their apex ; the flagellum ferruginous, a black dot on four or
five of the middle joints, and sometimes a narrow black line
on the scape behind. Thorax : the collar on each side, the
tubercles, a line on the breast in front, the tegulae, scutellum,
and usually a minute dot beneath it, yellow ; wings as in the
female; the coxae and trochanters black, the anterior pair yellow
in front, femora ferruginous, their extreme base black beneath ;
the knees, and all the tibiae and tarsi yellow, and more or less
stained with ferruginous. Abdomen as in the female, in rare
instances there is an interrupted yellow line on the first se
ment. B
eg-
.M.
This extremely beautiful species is very local, not found in the
London district : some years ago it was met with sparingly in
Kent, during the month of July, in a lane leading from Betson*
to Green Street Green, at the side of Darenth Wood ; in 1851
" its metropolis " was discovered in Sandown Bay, at the back
of the Isle of Wight ; here it abounded in the month of July ;
it is parasitic on Halictus rubicundus and H. leucozonius.
J28 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
9. Nomada xanthosticta,
N. atra ; antennis subtus, scutellique punctis ferrugineis ; abdo-
mine rufo, segmentis secundo et tertio maculis duabus flavis.
Apis xanthosticta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 212. 28 $ .
Nomada xanthosticta, Smith, Zool. ii. 600. 15 & vi. 2214 ; Cat.
Acul. Hym. 86. 9.
Female. Length 2-3J lines. Head and thorax black; the
flagellum beneath, the mandibles and the labrum ferruginous,
the latter obscurely so, sometimes black, the scape black.
Thorax : the tegulse ferruginous, yellow in front, the tubercles
yellow ; the scutellum having sometimes two minute obscure
ferruginous spots ; wings subhyaline, their apical margins
having a fuscous cloud ; the legs ferruginous, the coxae, the
trochanters, the femora beneath, the tibiae above, and the basal
joints of the posterior tarsi above, fuscous. Abdomen ferru-
ginous, the extreme base black, the apical margins of the first
and second segments faintly rufo-piceous, the apical margin of
the third and the basal margin of the fourth narrowly rufo-
piceous ; the second and third segments have on each side a
round yellow macula, that on the latter minute ; beneath, im-
maculate.
Mr. Rudd captured a specimen of this species some years ago
at Yarm in Yorkshire ; a second specimen occurred near Wake-
field in Yorkshire, and a third was taken near Newcastle by Mr.
Hewitson. Mr. Kirby did not know the locality of his insect.
10. Nomada flavo-guttata.
N. atra; antennis fulvis ; abdomine rufo, punctis quatuor luteis.
Apis flavoguttata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 215. 31 $ .
Nomada flavoguttata, Smith, Zool. ii. 598. 12 <? ? .
Female. Length 2^-3 lines. Head and thorax black, the
clypeus in front, the face on each side, the orbits of the eyes,
the labrum, mandibles and flagellum, ferruginous, the latter
fuscous above. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, a spot beneath
the wings, a larger one on the breast, the scutellum and post-
scutellum, ferruginous ; two obscure ferruginous abbreviated
lines on the disk ; wings subhyaline, iridescent, and having a
dark cloud at their apical margins ; the coxae, trochanters, base
of the anterior and intermediate femora, and the posterior pair
beneath, black; the tibiae, tarsi and femora above, ferruginous.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 129
Abdomen ferruginous, the base black ; the second and third
segments have on each side a round yellow macula, the se-
cond pair smallest ; the margins of the segments rufo-piceous.
B.M.
Var. (3. The legs almost entirely ferruginous.
Var. y. The spots on the abdomen almost, or entirely oblite-
rated.
Male. Length 2-2 lines. The anterior margin of the clypeus
and the mandibles yellow, the latter ferruginous at their tips ;
the antennae ferruginous beneath, above black ; the face has a
silvery pubescence. Thorax black, the tibiae, tarsi and femora
in front, ferruginous, the rest black ; the thorax has a hoary
pubescence; wings clearer than in the other sex. Abdomen
as in the female. B.M.
Var. JB. The posterior tibiae and tarsi fuscous above, and the
intermediate and anterior pairs stained behind.
This species is often confounded with IV. furva, from which it
is quite distinct ; it is also distinct from the A. rufocincta and
A. Sheppardana of Kirby, as an examination of the typical spe-
cimens in the Kirbian collection proves. The species is not
rare in the London district ; it is also found in Kent, Surrey,
Hampshire and Yorkshire.
11. Nomada Koberjeotiana.
N. atra; scutello, pedibus antennisque ferrugineis ; abdomine
ferrugineo, apice albo, segmentis secundo tertioque macula
laterali alba.
Nomada Roberjeotiana, Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 18 $ , 72. 19 $ .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. 391. 6.
Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 283. 19.
Smith, Zool. ii. 603. 19.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 178. 7.
Nomada neglecta, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 283. 20.
Female. Length 3 lines. Head and thorax black, the anterior
margin of the clypeus, the labrum and mandibles, ferruginous.
Thorax : the collar, tubercles, tegulee, scutellum and post-
scutellum, ferruginous ; the wings subhyaline, their apical
margins clouded, the nervures dark ferruginous, becoming
bright-red near the base of the wings ; the legs ferruginous, the
coxa3 and trochanters, except their extreme apex, and the fe-
mora beneath, black. Abdomen ferruginous : the base black ;
the third and following segments rufo-piceous, the second
G 5
130 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
having at its basal margin laterally a rufo-piceous spot ; the
basal margin of the third segment is ferruginous in the middle;
the second segment has on each side a transverse cream-coloured
oval macula, the third a narrower and more elongate one ; the
fifth has a square spot of the same colour ; beneath, immacu-
late. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Head and thorax black, the anterior
margin of the clypeus, the labrum, mandibles and scape in
front, yellow ; the flagellum ferruginous. Thorax : the collar,
tubercles, tegulae and the scutellum yellow ; wings and legs as
in the other sex. Abdomen ferruginous, the base black ; the
second segment has in the centre a rufous angular spot, and
two ovate cream-coloured maculae, pointed within, beyond
which the abdomen is rufo-piceous ; the third and fourth have
interrupted fasciae, the sixth is entirely cream-coloured.
This species was not known as a British insect until it was
discovered near Blackwater, Hants : it is an autumnal species,
and was captured on the Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaa) in company
with IV. Solidaginis. Mr. Walcott has a specimen of the male
captured by Mr. Dale.
12. Nomada armata.
N. atra ; scutello punctis duobus, linea transversa subtus, an-
tennis pedibusque ferrugineis ; abdomine rufo, segmentis in-
termediis maculis flavis.
Nomada armata, Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 279. 10.
Smith, Zool. vii. Append. 41.
Nomada Kirbii, Steph. Illus. Brit. Ent. Hand. vii. t. xliii. f . 1 $ .
Nomada cincticornis, Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 182. 12 <j> .
Female. Length 5 lines. Head and thorax black : the anterior
margin of the clypeus, the mandibles and antennae, and some-
times a minute dot above the eyes, ferruginous ; the scape fus-
cous, the flagellum has the eighth and three following joints
fuscous, the apical joint ferruginous ; a minute acute tooth in
the centre of the labrum. Thorax : a narrow line on the collar,
the tubercles, the tegulae, two spots on the scutellum, and the
post-scutellum, ferruginous ; a patch beneath the wings and
the margin of the metathorax fringed with silvery white pubes-
cence ; the legs ferruginous, the coxae and trochanters, except
their extreme apex, and all the femora towards their base be-
neath, black ; the basal joint of the posterior tarsi fuscous on
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
131
the outside. Abdomen ferruginous, the base black ; the second
segment has on each side an ovate yellow macula, and the
third and fourth segments a short transverse line on each side
at their basal margins. B.M.
Male. Length 5i lines. Head and thorax black, the flagellum
ferruginous, its two apical joints having a black spot above ; the
mandibles yellow, their tips ferruginous; the labrum armed
with a sharp tooth in the middle ; the face covered with silvery
white pubescence. Thorax : the pubescence on the disk yel-
lowish, that on the sides and beneath, hoary; the tubercles,
tegulae, tibiae and tarsi, ferruginous ; the femora at their apex
above, ferruginous ; the wings subhyaline, and having a fuscous
cloud at their apical margins. Abdomen ferruginous, its base
black ; the second segment has on each side a large ovate yel-
low macula, and the following segments a yellow line at their
basal margins ; the fifth and sixth have sometimes a transverse
band ; beneath, the intermediate segments have sometimes a
transverse interrupted yellow line, and the three apical ones a
central black dot. B.M.
Of this large and conspicuous species there are examples of
both sexes in the British Museum, one of which was formerly
in the collection of Mr. James Francis Stephens, who no doubt
obtained it from Dr. Leach, who first captured the insect in
Devonshire. Mr. Samuel Stevens captured a male some four or
five years ago in Devonshire, and Mr. Dossetor several of both
sexes last year in Wales.
13. Nomada rubra.
JV.atra; mandibulis flavis ; scutelli punctis ferrugineis ; abdomine
ferrugineo, immaculate.
Nomada rubra, Smith, Zool. vii. Append, p. 41 $ ; Cat. Acul. Hym.
p. 87. 15.
Female. Length 4 lines. Ferruginous ; the mandibles yellow ;
a spot at the base of the antennae, the tips of the scape above
and the cheeks black, a line behind the eyes, ferruginous.
Thorax : the tubercles yellow ; the disk and the metathorax
black ; a line over the tegulae, the scutellum, and post-scutellum
ferruginous ; the sides of the metathorax and the posterior
coxae, which are black, clothed with silvery pubescence; the
abdomen ferruginous, immaculate, the apical segment fringed
with silvery pubescence. B.M.
132 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
The unique specimen of this species is in the British Museum ;
it was captured by Dr. Leach at Kingsbridge, Devonshire.
14. Nomada furva.
N. atra ; scutello ferrugineo ; abdomine piceo, rufo cincto. Mas,
abdomine atro, flavo-maculato.
Nomada furva, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 25 $ .
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 495. 27 <J ? .
Smith, Zool. ii. 599. 13 <J $ .
Apis rufo-cincta, Kirby, Man. Ap. Angl. ii. 216. 32 $
Apis Sheppardana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 217. 33 ? .
Nomada minuta, Fair. Syst. Piez. p. 394. 19 $ .
Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i, 278. 7.
Nomada Dalii, Curtis, Brit. Ent. ix. t. 419 $ .
Female. Length 2 lines. Head and thorax black, the anterior
margin of the clypeus, the labrum, mandibles and orbits of the
eyes ferruginous ; the antennas ferruginous beneath, the apical
joint entirely so; the extreme base of the flagellum ferru-
ginous. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, tegulse, a large lunate
spot beneath the wings and a dot above uniting with it, a
spot behind the wings, two larger ones on the scutelluin, and the
post-scutellum, ferruginous ; the wings subhy aline, and having
a dark fuscous cloud at their apical margins; the legs rufo-
piceous, the apex of the joints and the tarsi ferruginous. Ab-
domen rufo-piceous, the first and second segments having a fer-
ruginous band, the apex ferruginous; the band on the basal
segment having two black dots ; sometimes two pale spots on
the third segment. (A. rufocincta, Kirby.) B.M.
Var. j3. The basal segment only having an obscure ferruginous
band. (A. Sheppardana, Kirby.)
Male. Length 2 lines. Head and thorax black : the margin of
the clypeus narrowly, the labrum and a spot on the mandibles
towards their apex reddish-yellow ; two fuscous spots on the
labrum, the tips of the mandibles ferruginous ; the tips of the
scape beneath and the flagellum beneath, reddish-yellow, the
apical joint entirely so ; a minute yellow spot at the vertex
of the eyes. Thorax : the tubercles and tegulae ferruginous ;
the sides of the metathorax have a little silvery pubescence ;
the legs rufo-piceous, their joints pale, as well as the anterior
femora and tibise in front ; wings as in the female. Abdomen
black, the basal segment having two minute dots about the
middle, the second a line or dot on each side, and the third
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 133
having sometimes a narrow line on each side at its basal margin,
yellow ; beneath, immaculate. B.M.
This little bee is abundant and very widely distributed ; it is
parasitic on several species of Halictus, and also upon Colletes.
I find it every season with a colony of Halictus morio ; it varies
a good deal in the colouring, and has received various names in
consequence ; it may be found during the months of April and
May.
15. Nomada mistura.
N. atra; abdomine rufo-fasciato, maculis sulphureis obscuris
notato.
Mule. Length 3^ lines Black ; the mandibles ferruginous, a
spot at their base and the margins of the clypeus yellow ; the
labrum has a minute tooth in the centre ; the antennae ferrugi-
nous beneath, the three or four apical segments entirely so ; the
scape black. Thorax : a spot on each side of the collar and the
tubercles yellow ; the apex of the femora, the tibiae and tarsi
yellowish ; the anterior and intermediate tibiae have a dark stain
above, the posterior pair black, except their base and apex ; the
wings subhyaline, their apical margins clouded, the tegulae and
nervures ferruginous. Abdomen : the apical margin of the basal
segment ferruginous, a band of the same colour across the
middle of the following segments ; the second and third have
on each side an oblong angulated yellow macula, the third a
smaller one at the sides, and the following a transverse yellow
stripe ; beneath, having more or less bright ferruginous bands.
When this species was described, I had only seen the unique
specimen which was captured by Mr. Hewitson ; subsequently a
second was taken in Yorkshire, and two others were sent for
examination by Mr. Heysham, captured near Carlisle ; the female
is not at present known.
16. Nomada Fabriciana.
N. atra ; antennis runs, nigro annulatis ; abdomine ferrugineo,
maculis duabus flavis. Mas, abdomine ferrugineo, maculis
quatuor flavis.
Apis Fabriciana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 955. 17 $ .
Rossi, Faun. Etrus. Mant. no. 324.
134 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Nomada Fabriciana, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 348. 10.
Spin. Ins. Lig. i. 152. 4.
Schtiff. Germ. Zeits. i. 277. 6.
Smith, Zool.il 598. 11<? ?.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 183. 14.
Apis Fabriciella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 213. 29 ?. t. 16. f. 3.
Apis notata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 14. 30 $ .
Nomada quadrinotata, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 494. 26.
Female. Length 3^-5 lines. Head and thorax black ; the an-
tennae rufous, four or five joints towards the apex, black ; the
apical one red ; the scape and one or two of the basal joints ol
the flagellum black above ; the apex of the mandibles ferrugi-
nous ; the face and cheeks have a silvery pubescence. Thorax :
the tegulae, tibiae in front, the femora at their apex in front,
and the apical joints of the tarsi, ferruginous. Abdomen ferru-
ginous, the base black, the second segment has on each side an
ovate macula, and the third a minute one, yellow ; the margins
of the apical segments, piceous. B.M.
Var. j3. The third segment immaculate.
Var. y. The spot on the second segment minute, that on the
third obsolete.
Male. Length 3|-4 lines. Head and thorax black, having a
thinly scattered hoary pubescence ; the face clothed with silvery
pubescence ; the antennae obscurely rufo-piceous beneath ; the
anterior and intermediate femora at their apex in front, their
tibiae in front, and the tarsi, ferruginous ; the basal joints of the
latter black or fuscous above. Abdomen ferruginous, the base
black ; the second and third segments have on each side a round
yellow macula, the latter pair smallest. B.M,
This species appears to be generally distributed over the
country, but it seldom occurs in large numbers ; it is frequently
met with on Hampstead Heath about the end of April and during
May; it has also been taken in Yorkshire, in the month of July.
17. Nomada Germanica.
2V. atra; antennis, pedibus abdomineque ferrugineis, maculis
atris.
Nomada Germanica, Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 17 ?.
Fabr. Syst. Piez. 394. 18.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 477. 13.
Apis ferruginata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 218. 34. t. 16. f. 4 <J
(nee Linn.}.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 135
Nomada stigma, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 393. 11 ?
Nomada ferruginata, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 275. 1.
Brulle, Explor. Sc. de More'e, in. 346. 764.
Smith, Zool ii. 600. 14.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 183. 13.
Nomada pleurosticta, Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 276. 2.
Female. Length 4 lines. Head and thorax black ; the man-
dibles and antennae ferruginous, the latter fuscous above ; the
labrum has a minute acute tooth in the middle. Thorax : the
collar on each side, the tegulae, two spots on the scutellum
and the post-scutellum, ferruginous ; the wings subhyaline, and
having a dark fuscous cloud on their apical margins ; the legs
ferruginous, the femora beneath more or less black towards their
base ; the tibiae have a black spot in front near their apex ; the
basal joint of the posterior tarsi black ; a short silvery- white
pubescence on the sides of the metathorax and beneath.
Abdomen ferruginous, the base black ; a black spot at the basal
margins of the second and third segments laterally, the fourth
and fifth have a black band, the latter usually interrupted,
sometimes obsolete ; beneath, having a row of black spots down
the middle. B.M.
Male. Very similar to the other sex, but differs in having a
more dense silvery pubescence on the face, the sides of the
thorax, and also on the sides of the abdomen, and in having
the scutellum black ; two or three of the basal joints of the
flagellum are swollen and thicker than the apical joints. B.M.
This is a very local species, but will usually be found where
colonies of Andrena fulvescens are met with, being parasitic on
that bee ; it occurs sparingly on Hampstead Heath during the
month of June, and at Hawley Green, Hants, in profusion.
18. Nomada atrata.
N. tota atra ; abdominis basi ferrugineo obscure notata.
Nomada atrata, Smith, Zool. iv. 1568.
Male. Length 3J lines. Black ; the face has a silvery-white
pubescence, the mandibles ferruginous, the flagellum obscure
rufo-piceous beneath. Thorax : the tubercles and tegulae, ob-
scure ferruginous ; the anterior and intermediate femora towards
their apex in front, their tibiae in front, and the posterior pair
at their base, ferruginous ; the tarsi ferruginous, stained with
fuscous above ; wings subhyaline, their apical margins clouded.
Abdomen : the second segment obscurely ferruginous, or only
136 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
slightly so at the sides ; the sides have a short silvery pubes-
cence, as well as the margins of the segments beneath.
This species most closely resembles N. Germanica, but its
antennae are shorter, and the basal joints of the flagellum are
not swollen ; the second submarginal cell is narrower and of a
different form.
Two specimens of this species were taken at Arundel, in Sus-
sex, by Mr. S. Stevens ; no other locality is known, nor have any
other examples been received.
19. Nomada Solidaginis.
N. atra : antennis basi ferrugineis ; scutello, abdominisque ma-
culis fasciisque flavis ; segmento primo immaculato.
Nomada Solidaginis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 18.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 152. 3.
Schdff. Germ. Zeits. i. 284. 23.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 472. 8.
Smith, Zool. ii. 595. 8.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 176. 3.
Apis Solidaginis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 204. 22.
Apis picta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 206. 23 $ (var.).
Apis rufo-picta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 207. 24 (var.).
Female. Length 3*-4 lines. Head and thorax black ; the cly-
peus, and a narrow line on each side touching the eyes, the
labrum and mandibles, yellow, the tips of the latter ferruginous;
the scape and the base of the flagellum ferruginous in front.
Thorax : the collar, tubercles, a lunate patch on the breast, the
tegulae and scutellum, yellow ; the legs ferruginous, the poste-
rior femora having a dark stain at their base within ; the wings
pale fulvo-hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical margins. Ab-
domen : the second and third segments have a large yellow
macula acute within, the fourth has a fascia, and the fifth seg-
ment is entirely of the same colour ; the base of the latter some-
times black ; the intermediate segments beneath have trans-
verse yellow fasciae, sometimes interrupted. B.M.
Var. j3. Abdomen rufous, similarly maculated to the former
(A. rufo-picta, Kirby).
Var. y. Abdomen rufous, the fascia on the fourth segment widely
interrupted (A. picta, Kirby).
Male. Length 3i-4 lines. Black; the clypeus, sides of the
face, the labrum, mandibles, and the scape in front yellow ; the
face has a silvery-white pubescence ; the flagellum rufo-testa-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 137
ceous beneath. Thorax: the collar, tubercles, a lunate spot
beneath them, the tegulae, and scutellum yellow ; the legs pale
ferruginous, the anterior and posterior coxae yellow in front ;
the intermediate pair have usually a minute spot at the sides,
and another on the pectus in front of each ; the posterior femora
black at their base, the anterior and posterior pairs usually
rufo-testaceous, but sometimes black, the tibiae and tarsi varied
with yellow; the wings subhy aline, their apical margins faintly
clouded. Abdomen : the second and third segments have on
each side a large transverse macula, pointed within ; the fourth
and fifth a transverse fascia, attenuated in the middle, the
sixth an entire broad yellow one. B.M.
Var. j3. The band on the fourth segment interrupted.
Var. y. The basal segment having two minute yellow dots.
This is one of the most abundant species of the genus ; it is
somewhat local, usually appears towards the middle of July,
and is found in great numbers on the Ragwort, but has been
met with in greater abundance on the Wild Thyme. The female
is subject to very great variation in colouring : the male seldom
offers any striking differences ; many hundreds have been exa-
mined, but not a single example with the rufous colouring on
the abdomen has been discovered. A series of gradual changes
from black to red may be met with in specimens of the female.
This species is parasitic on Halictus abdominalis.
20. Nomada Jacobsese.
IV. atra; pedibus ferrugineis, scutelli punctis duobus, abdominis-
que maculis fasciisque flavis.
Nomada Jacobaeae, Panz. Faun. Germ. 72. 17 $
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 50. 2.
Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 286. 21.
St. Farg. Hist. Nat. Ins. ii. 479. 15.
Smith. Zool. ii. 594. 7 $ $ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 175. 2.
Nomada interrupta, Panz. Faun. Germ. 96. 22 (var. ) ?
Apis Jacobaeae, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 201. 20 $ .
Apis flavo-picta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 202. 21 $ .
Female. Length 4-4- lines. Black ; the anterior margin of
the clypeus more or less yellow; the labrum and mandibles
yellow ; the tips of the mandibles and the margin of the clypeus
narrowly ferruginous ; the labrum has a minute tooth in the
138 BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN.
middle ; the scape and the base of the flagellum ferruginous be-
neath. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, a spot on the breast, the
tegulae, and two spots on the scutellum, yellow ; the wings sub-
hyaline, their margins clouded ; the legs ferruginous varied
with yellow ; the coxae and trochanters black, their tips ferru-
ginous ; the intermediate and posterior coxae, yellow in front.
Abdomen : the first segment has a subinterrupted fascia, the
second a large macula on each side, acute within, the third a
narrow line on each side, and the following segment a broad
fascia, yellow ; the apical segment yellow. B.M.
Male. This sex closely resembles the female, but the clypeus
is usually more yellow, and the scape yellow in front ; the ab-
domen has its bands more interrupted. B.M.
Var. /3. Abdomen having all the bands, except the apical one,
interrupted ; this is probably the Nomada interrupta of Panzer.
This species is rare in the vicinity of London, but is not un-
common in some districts, and has been met with about Charl-
ton and Weybridge, in the month of August, on the Ragwort.
21. Nomada lineola.
N. atra, antennis ferrugineis : scutelli punctis duobus flavis ; ab-
dominis basi ferrugineo-maculata, fasciisque flavis variegata ;
labio subcornuto.
Nomada lineola, Panz. Faun. Germ. 52. 23 ? .
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 486. 20.
Apis cornigera, Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 190. 11 $ .
Apis subcornuta, Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 192. 12 $ .
Apis caprae, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 193. 13 $ .
Apis lineola, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 194. 14.
Apis sexcincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 198. 17<J .
Nomada cornigera, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 481. 16 $ .
Smith, Zool. ii. 591.4^ 9.
Female. Length 4-6 lines. Black ; a line along the lower por-
tion of the inner orbits of the eyes, the anterior margin of the
clypeus, the labrum, mandibles, and antennae, ferruginous ; the
scape has sometimes a yellow stain beneath and the flagel-
lum is slightly fuscous towards the apex. Thorax : the collar,
tubercles, tegulae, and two spots on the scutellum, yellow;
the legs ferruginous, the knees stained with yellow ; the femora
at their base beneath and the coxae and trochanters more or
less black ; the posterior femora black within ; the breast has
a ferruginous spot on each side ; the wings subhyaline, their
BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN. 139
apical margins clouded, the nervures ferruginous. Abdomen :
the basal segment having a ferruginous fascia, the second a
large yellow macula on each side, acute within, the third a
narrower macula, the fourth a transverse fascia, the fifth, ex-
cept its extreme base, yellow ; beneath, ferruginous, the apical
margins of the segments black, the fourth having a central
yellow spot, sometimes the third and fourth also. B.M.
Var. /3. The basal segment of the abdomen having two ferru-
ginous spots.
Var. y. The anterior margin of the ferruginous line on the basal
segment yellow ; beneath variegated with yellow.
Var. 8. The ferruginous fascia having two yellow spots.
Var. e. The ferruginous fascia having a transverse subinterrupted
yellow line.
Var. f. The tegulae more or less ferruginous, the red fascia
obscure, and having two black dots.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; the face has a silvery-
white pubescence, that on the vertex and disk of the thorax
pale fulvous ; the scape in front, the anterior margin of the
clypeus, the labrum and mandibles, yellow ; the flagellum fer-
ruginous, three or four of the basal joints fuscous above.
Thorax : the tubercles and tegulae, also sometimes two minute
dots on the scutellum, yellow ; beneath, as well as the coxae
and femora covered with a hoary pubescence; the femora,
tibiae and tarsi ferruginous, the former black at their base be-
neath, and the posterior pair also black within; wings as in
the other sex. Abdomen : the three basal segments having
interrupted yellow fasciae, the three apical fasciae uninterrupted,
the seventh segment, yellow ; the fascia on the fourth segment
attenuated in the middle : the three basal segments have the
lateral yellow stripes more or less pointed within ; beneath, the
segments have transverse broad yellow stripes. B.M.
Var. /3. The apical margin of the basal segment of the abdomen
ferruginous, and having two yellow spots.
The female varies greatly in the distribution of the colouring
of the abdomen. The varieties include four of Mr. Kirby's
species : nothing but an extensive series could justify any one in
thus reducing the species, but the insect having been plentiful
for some years on Hampstead Heath, the above varieties have
been obtained. The male seldom varies : Var. /3. is very rare.
The male is apt to be confounded with that of IV. alternata, and
it is indeed difficult at first to separate them : the male of IV.
lineola has its legs variegated with yellow, its tegulae sulphur-
yellow, while its antennae are rather thicker and fuscous towar ds
140 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
the base. The name te cornuta" which Mr. Kirby gave to this
species, was not a happy one, since that characteristic is common
to several of the species. This bee is usually found from the
middle of April to the end of May, but it is not one of the early
species ; some years it is not found before the middle of May.
22. Nomada alternata.
N. atra ; antennis tegulisque ferrugineis ; scutelli punctis, ab-
dominisque fasciis flavis, tribus anticis interruptis.
Apis alternata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 185. 5 $ .
Apis Marshamella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 188. 10 $ .
Nomada Marshamella, Schaff. Germ. Zeits. i. 285. 25.
Smith, Zool. ii. 590. 3.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; the anterior margin of the
clypeus, the labrum, mandibles and antennae, ferruginous.
Thorax : the collar on each side, the tubercles, and two spots
on the scutellum, yellow ; the tegulae and legs ferruginous ; the
coxae and femora towards their base, and the posterior femora
within, black ; the wings subhyaline, their apical margins
clouded, the nervures ferruginous. Abdomen : two spots on
the basal segment, an interrupted fascia on the two following,
on the fourth an entire fascia, and on the fifth a large quadrate
spot, yellow ; there is usually a minute spot on each side of the
quadrate one ; beneath, the third and fourth segments have
usually a yellow fascia and the second sometimes two minute
dots. B.M.
Var. #. The basal segment of the abdomen immaculate, and the
spots on the scutellum reddish-yellow.
Male. Length 3^-5 lines. This sex very closely resembles the
female, but has the scape in front, the anterior margin of the
clypeus, the labrum and mandibles, yellow ; the face has also
a silvery-white pubescence ; the tubercles and two minute spots
on the clypeus, yellow; the tegulae ferruginous, sometimes
dashed with yellow ; the wings and legs as in the other sex ;
the fasciae on the abdomen are broader, the three first subinter-
rupted ; beneath, the second and three following segments
have broad yellow fasciae, the first usually interrupted, the
apical segment yellow. B.M.
Var. /3. The basal segment of the abdomen immaculate.
Var. y. The spot on the scutellum obsolete (alternata, Kirby).
This is one of the most abundant species of the genus ; it is
found in all parts of Great Britain, and is not subject to great
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 141
variation in colouring ; it appears early in spring, and is some-
times taken the first week in April, and usually throughout May,
but if the weather is mild it may be found occasionally towards
the end of March. I have twice met with this species in autumn,
one specimen at Shirley, September 15th, 1848, another Sep-
tember 10th, 1853 : these are, of course, deviations from the
usual habit of the species : the extreme beauty of the weather,
like a second spring, having tempted them from their hiberna-
cula.
23. Nomada sexfasciata.
IV. atra; scutelli punctis duobus, abdominis segmentis tribus
basalibus flavo-maculatis, segmentis alteris flavo-fasciatis.
Mas, pedibus flavis.
Nomada sexfasciata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 62. 18 $ .
SeMff. Germ. Zeits. i. 285. 24.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 471. 7.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 218. 155.
Smith, Zool. ii. 593. 6 <J ? .
Apis Scha3fferella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 199. 18 ? .
Apis connexa, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 199. 19 <J .
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; the anterior angles of the
face, the margin of the clypeus, the labrum and mandibles,
yellow ; the two latter more or less ferruginous ; the antennae
ferruginous, the scape more or less black behind. Thorax :
the tubercles, tegulae, and two spots on the scutellum, yellow ;
the disk slightly and the metathorax more densely covered
with pale fulvous pubescence ; wings subhyaline, the apical
margins having a fuscous cloud, the nervures ferruginous ; the
legs ferruginous, the tibiae yellowish towards their base, the
coxae and trochanters black. Abdomen : the three basal seg-
ments having on each side a yellow spot, those on the second
and third segments pointed within ; the fourth and fifth have in-
terrupted fasciae ; beneath, the third and fourth segments have
a transverse yellow dash. B.M.
Male. Length 6 lines. Closely resembling the other sex, but
having those parts of the mouth yellow which are ferruginous
in the female; the scape yellow in front, black behind, and
five or six of the basal joints of the flagellum black above.
Thorax : thinly clothed above with hoary pubescence, be-
neath more densely so, the legs yellow, and having in parts faint
ferruginous stains ; the femora beneath more or less black, the
posterior pair black within. Abdomen variegated with yellow
142 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
fasciae as in the other sex, but the fasciae not quite so widely
interrupted. B.M.
Var. /3. The basal segment of the abdomen immaculate.
This is a very local species, parasitic on Eucera longicornis,
probably it will be found wherever colonies of that bee are met
with ; it occurs at Southgate in plenty, infesting Eucera. I
have not seen any specimens from the north of England.
24. Nomada succincta.
N. atra ; tegulis, tuberculis, scutellique punctis, flavis ; abdo-
inine fasciis flavis nigrisque alternis ornato.
Nomada succincta, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 21.
Schqjf. Germ. Zeits. i. 287. 30.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 469. 6.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 175. 1.
Apis Goodeniana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 180. 4.
Nomada Goodeniana, Smith, Zool. ii. 589. 1.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; the anterior margin of the
clypeus, the labrum, mandibles, and antennae, ferruginous ; the
inner orbits of the eyes, as high as the insertion of the antennae,
yellow. Thorax : the collar, tubercles, tegulae, two spots on
the scutellum, one on the post-scutellum, and a dot on each
side of the metathorax, yellow ; the legs ferruginous ; the
coxae, trochanters, femora beneath at their base, the poste-
rior pair also within, black. Abdomen : each segment having
a yellow fascia, the first usually interrupted, the two following
attenuated in the middle. B.M.
Male. Very closely resembling the female, but having the cly-
peus anteriorly, the sides of the face, the scape in front, the
labrum and mandibles, yellow ; the latter ferruginous at their
tips ; the scape black above, and the four or five basal joints
of the flagellum having a black spot above ; the head and thorax
have a thin hoary pubescence ; the anterior coxae, the tibiae
in front, a spot on each side of the breast in front, yellow ;
wings subhy aline, the nervures pale ferruginous, the apical
margins faintly clouded as in the other sex ; the abdomen as
in the female. B.M.
This is a very abundant species, found in all parts of Great
Britain; it is not subject to vary in its markings, but some-
times the legs are dashed with yellow, particularly at the knees ;
sometimes the post-scutellum is black ; the fascia on the basal
segment of the abdomen is also occasionally entire.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 143
Genus 3, EPEOLUS.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i.953 (1766).
Nomada, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 345 (1793).
Epeolus, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. p. 171 (1809).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a curve on the vertex ;
the labrum transverse-ovate, the anterior margin sub-emarginate,
with a minute tooth in the centre of the emargination, the
angles produced ; in the middle, two minute teeth placed in a
line with the angles of the emargination. The labial palpi four-
jointed, about one-fifth shorter than the labium ; the two basal
joints elongate, the first joint one-third longer than the second,
the two apical joints minute, placed at the apex of the second
joint ; the paraglossae short and lanceolate. The maxillary palpi
one-jointed, the joint ovate and minute. The superior wings
having one marginal and three submarginal cells, the marginal
cell elongate-ovate, slightly narrowed towards the apex; the
first submarginal cell nearly as long as the two following, the
second much narrowed towards the marginal, and receiving the
first recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle ; the second
submarginal also much narrowed towards the marginal cell, and
receiving the second recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle.
The legs have the calcaria and claws simple. Abdomen oblong-
cordate.
1. Epeolus variegatus.
E. niger ; thorace abdomineque albido-variegatis ; pedibus fer-
rugineis.
Apis variegata, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 422. no. 1690 ; Syst. Nat. i.
957. 24.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 222. 36. 1. 16. f. 6 ? .
Don. Brit. Ins. xii. 10. t. 399. f. 2.
Nomada variegata, Fab. Syst. Ent. p. 389. 2 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 347. 5.
Epeolus variegatus, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 49. 2.
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 388. 1.
Jurine, Hym. t. 14. f. 5.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. ii. t. 516.
Blanch. Hist. Nat. Ins. p. 412.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 462. 2. t. 17. f. 5 $ , 6 <? .
Guerin, Icon. Reg. Anim. Ins. 454. t. 74. f. 1.
Smith, Zool. iii. 1150. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 174. 1.
144 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 3-4 lines. Black; the face clothed with
short silvery-white pubescence, the labrum and mandibles fer-
ruginous, the former having usually a dark stain on each side
at the base ; the flagellum ferruginous at the base beneath.
The collar covered with yellowish-white pubescence, and two
abbreviated lines emanating from it in the middle ; the scutel-
lum, tubercles, tegulse and legs, ferruginous ; a large patch of
short white pubescence beneath the wings, and a spot behind
the tegulae ; the sides and base of the metathorax variegated
with white pubescence ; on each side of the scutellum a broad
angular tooth; the wings subhyaline, their margins faintly
clouded. Abdomen : an interrupted white band at the basal and
apical margins of the first segment, uniting at the lateral mar-
gins ; the second, third and fourth segments have on each side
a broad line of white pubescence, that on the third and fourth
attenuated in the middle, or interrupted ; the fifth has a spot
in the middle and another on each side ; beneath, ferruginous
towards the base, and the margins of the three apical segments
with bands of white pubescence. B.M.
Var. j3. The femora more or less rufo-testaceous.
Male. This sex only differs from the female in having the labrum
usually and the scutellum always black ; the coxae, trochanters,
and base of the femora, are usually black. B.M.
This pretty little bee is very abundant in many parts of Kent,
Surrey, and Hampshire ; it is also met with at Southend in Essex ;
it is however local ; wherever Colletes Daviesana is found, Epeo~
lus, its parasite, is to be met with ; it has been found in the
burrows of that bee. It usually appears early in July ; the males
pass a great portion of their time reposing in flowers, particularly
on the heads of the Ragwort ; they, are also partial to the Mouse-
ear Hawkweed, and may frequently be found enclosed in the
petals of the flowers ; the habit of this bee is very sluggish, they
are easily captured by hand, their sting is very acute.
Genus 4. CffiLIOXYS.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419 (1761),
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 372 (1804).
Megachile, pt., Latr. Hist. Nat. 53. sec. 3 (1805).
Ccelioxys, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 166 (1809).
Head as wide as the thorax ; the ocelli placed in a triangle on
the vertex ; the eyes lateral, elongate, and covered with pubes-
cence. The labial palpi four-jointed, the two basal joints elon-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 145
^gate, the second rather longer than the first, the third and fourth
minute,, placed at the side and near the apex of the second joint.
The maxillary palpi three-jointed, the basal joint very short,
thick and subglobose ; the second joint not so thick, but of about
the same length ; the apical joint of equal length, but slender
and cylindric. The labrum elongate, transverse at the base and
produced at the lateral angles. Thorax globose, the scutellum
armed with a tooth on each side ; the superior wings with
one marginal and two submarginal cells ; the marginal cell nar-
row, elongate, and rounded at the apex ; the second submarginal
cell receiving the two recurrent nervures, the first near its base,
and the second near its apex. Abdomen conical, acute at the
apex in the females ; in the males the apex is dentate. The
claws simple in the females ; in the males bifid at their apex.
The males have their anterior coxae toothed.
The bees belonging to the genus Coelioxys are parasitic upon
those of the genera Megachile and Saropoda ; from cocoons of
M . circumcincta Mr. Waterhouse obtained a species of Ccelioxys
in the year 1835. I have frequently bred C. simplex from the
cocoons of the same bee, and C. mfescens from those of M.
Willughbiella. Some years ago I found a species of C&lioxys in
the cells of Saropoda ; it was new to the British list, and de-
scribed under the name of C. umbrina ; the individuals found
in the cells were clothed with pale yellowish-brown pubescence ;
when once exposed to the sun this colour becomes cinereous.
The species occurs in profusion in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight,
where Saropoda bimaculata also abounds. C&lioxys Vectis is
also very abundant in the same locality.
The species of this genus are difficult to determine ; hitherto
three have been commonly associated as one. Dr. Nylander
has adopted an excellent distinctive specific character ; I
have availed myself of it in the discrimination of the British
species ; it must, however, be admitted, that excellent as the
character alluded to undoubtedly is, yet we must not forget,
that a species is not as it were cast in a mould, but admits of
a degree of variety, still however retaining intact the broad and
distinguishing characteristic. The distinctive specific character
employed, is the form of the plates of the apical segment of the
abdomen, the inferior plate being not only of a different form in
the species, but also of a different relative length as compared to
the superior plate ; in some species the two plates are of nearly
the same length, whilst in others the inferior plate is half as
H
146 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
long again as the superior one : this of course only applies to
the females the males have no such marked distinctive differ-
ences, and are much more puzzling and difficult to determine ;
some characters will however be found in the number, fibrin and
situation of the teeth which arm the apical segments. The value
of the form of the ventral plates as a specific character has been
tested by an examination of upwards of three hundred indivi-
duals of C. umbrina, also of seventy examples of C. Vectis :
this character appears to be the best hitherto discovered.
1. Ccelioxys qnadridentata.
C. atra ; scutello utrinque dentato, margine postico obtuse sub-
angulato ; abdomine conico, segmentis margine albidis ; ano
maris dentato.
Apis quadridentata, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1703 ; Syst. Nat. i. 958. 29,
S{ Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 386. 49 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 340. 112.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 13.
Apis conica, Linn. Faun. Suec. no. 1705 ; Syst. Nat. i. 958. 32, 8f
Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Anthophora quadridentata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 379. 32.
Anthophora conica, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 380. 33 <J .
Megachile conica, Latr, Hist. Nat. 53. 4.
Ccelioxys conica, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 167 ?
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 468. 1 ?
Coelioxys quadridentata, Smith, Zool. iii. 1151.
Ccelioxys acuta, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 250. 1.
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; head and thorax roughly
punctured, the face with a yellowish-white pubescence, the
anterior margin of the clypeus having a dense pale fulvous
fringe ; the eyes pubescent. Thorax : the posterior margin of
the scutellum obtusely angulate and armed on each side with a
short tooth ; the wings fusco-hyaline, their margins clouded.
Abdomen shining, having scattered deep punctures ; the apical
segment very closely and finely punctured, subopake, and having
a slight longitudinal carina, the apex of the segment lanceo-
late ; the ventral plate lanceolate, elongate, produced beyond
the superior plate, and having a lanceolate appendage at the
apex. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black, punctured as in the other sex,
the face having a dense silvery- white pubescence; the thorax
as in the other sex ; the apical segment of the abdomen pro-
duced into two stout bifurcate appendages, having on each
side at their base a stout straight acute tooth. B.M.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 14?
This species appears to be rare : two specimens were captured
in Yorkshire, and a male and female in Hampshire. The Lin-
naean typical specimen has been very carefully examined, and
the form of the ventral plates has been drawn from it. This
insect is common, Dr. Nylander informs us, in Denmark and
Finland ; he described it as a new species in his work on the
Northern Bees. Probably it is not uncommon in the north of
England ; the only examples which I captured when in Yorkshire
proved to be the Linnsean species.
2. Ccelioxys simplex.
C. atra ; scutello utrinque dente incurvo armato, margine pos-
tico subangulato ; abdominis segmento apicali elongate, pro-
ducto, semilanceolato.
Apis conica, Kirly, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 224. 37. t. 16. f. 7 ? , 8 <? .
Ccelioxys simplex, Nyland. Revis.Ap. Boreal, p. 279. 6.
Coelioxys mandibularis, Nyland. Au. tioreai. p. 252. 3 (var. $ ?).
Ccelioxys conica, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. p. 349. 1. f. 6* $ , 7* $
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the head and thorax have a
pale fulvous pubescence, the eyes pubescent ; the wings fusco-
hyaline, their apical margins having a fuscous cloud ; the pos-
terior margin of the thorax subangular, armed on each side
with a short slightly bent tooth ; the abdomen shining, and
having large scattered punctures, the apex of the sixth segment
closely and finely punctured, subopake, and indistinctly cari-
nated down the centre ; the ventral plate elongated, narrow,
lanceolate, and produced considerably beyond the upper
plate. B.M.
ft. Having the mandibles geniculated (var. ?).
t
This species is very widely distributed ; it is the most abun-
dant of the genus in the vicinity of London. The male next de-
scribed probably belongs to it.
3. Coelioxys sponsa.
C. atra, hirsuto-cinerea ; scutello utrinque minute dente incurvo
armato, margine postico rotundato ; abdominis apice multi-
dentato.
Male. Length 3-4i lines. Black ; the head a little wider than
the thorax, the face having a yellowish-white pubescence, that
on the clvpeus silvery. Thorax : the posterior margin of the
148 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
clypeus rounded, and having on each side a short slightly
curved tooth ; the apical segment of the abdomen armed at the
base on each side with a slender acute spine, the lateral angles
of the fifth segment slightly produced ; the apex terminating
in two bifurcate appendages, the upper tooth of the bifurca-
tion very short and obtuse, the lower tooth more elongate and
acute. B.M.
This is very probably the male of C. simplex, being equally
abundant in the London district.
4. Ccelioxys umbrina.
C. atra; capite thoraceque punctulatissimis, scutello utrinque
dente incurvo armato, margine postico rotundato.
Ccelioxys umbrina, Smith, ZooL iii. 1153. 4.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
face, sides of the thorax, and the fasciae of the abdomen, yel-
lowish-white ; the scutellum rounded posteriorly, and having
on each side a short incurved tooth ; the wings fusco-hyaline,
their apical margins having a broad fuscous cloud. Abdomen
shining, the punctures coarse, but not very close ; the apical
segment has a slight longitudinal carina, the apex is closely
punctured, opake, and sublanceolate ; the inferior plate pro-
duced a little beyond the upper one, its lateral margins nearly
parallel, its apex angular. B.M.
Male. Length 3-4 lines. The head and thorax as in the other
sex, the sides of the abdomen slightly curved, the apex divided
into two bifurcate processes, the upper teeth being short and
obtuse, the lower teeth more elongate and acute ; on each side
of the segment an acute spine or tooth, and the extreme lateral
apical margins of the sixth segment produced into a short
tooth. B.M.
This species occurs in the greatest abundance in Sandown Bay,
Isle of Wight, in the month of July, in company with Saropoda
bimaculata. A single specimen of the male was taken some
years ago in Hampshire, in the nest of Saropoda. When very
recently disclosed the pubescence has a yellow tint, but it will
usually be found cinereous from exposure.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 149
5. Ccelioxys mfescens.
C. atra, rufo-villosa ; scutello utrinque dente incurvo armato,
margine postico obtuso angulato ; abdomine convexo.
Coelioxys rufescens, St. Farg. 8f Serv. Encycl. Meth. x. 109.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 519.2.
Blanch. Hist. Nat. des Ins. iii. 413.
Smith, Zool. iii. 1152. 3.
Coelioxys apiculata, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 282. t. 3. f. 11 *.
Coelioxys hebescens, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 251. 2. t. 3. f. 11 a.
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; the head and thorax coarsely
punctured ; the face densely covered with short yellow pubes-
cence ; that on the thorax is of a paler colour ; the posterior
margin of the scutellum subangular, and armed on each side
with a curved spine or tooth; the wings fusco-hyaline, and
having their apical margins clouded. Abdomen shining, coni-
cal, convex above and beneath, strongly punctured ; an angular
patch on each side of the basal segment, the second and three
following segments with an entire fascia, which is continued
beneath, of pale yellowish- white pubescence ; the superior plate
of the apical segment lanceolate ; the lower plate angular at
the apex; the inferior plate not longer than the upper plate.
B.M.
Var. /3. The apex of the inferior plate angulated and notched at
the side, forming an acute appendage at the apex.
Var. y. The inferior plate obtuse, and rounded at the apex.
Male. Length 4^-5 lines. This sex agrees with the female in
the pubescence and sculpture of the head and thorax ; the face
has the pubescence perhaps a little longer, more dense, and
of a brighter yellow. The abdomen is similarly convex and
similarly banded ; the apical segment is produced into two bi-
furcate processes, the upper tooth slightly erected and obtuse,
the lower tooth longer and acute ; on each side at the base of
the segment is a straight acute spine. B.M.
This species has been taken in abundance, and the variety y.
of the female occurs not unfrequently amongst them ; this variety
is the C. hebescens of Nylander. C. rufescens closely resembles
C. umbriria, but it is a larger insect, and the colour of its pubes-
cence is different ; some small examples approach large ones of
C. umbrina, but the ventral plate of the female will be found
to differ in form.
150 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
6. Ccelioxys Vectis.
C. atra ; capite thoraceque pallido-villosis ; scutello utrinque
dentato, margine postico rotundato; abdominis segmentis
utrinque macula tomentosa alba omatis.
CcElioxys Vectis, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. t. 349.
Smith. Zool iii. 1152. 2.
Ccelioxys temporalis, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 253. 4.
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; head and thorax rugose-
punctate ; the face has a pale yellow pubescence, that on the
clypeus very short, its anterior margin having a fulvous fringe ;
the cheeks and breast have a silvery-white pubescence ; the
posterior margin of the scutellum rounded, and armed on each
side with a spine. Abdomen shining ; the base has on each side
a large quadrate patch, and the third and three following seg-
ments have on each side, at their basal margins, an elongate
angular spot of white pubescence ; the apical segment sublan-
ceolate, the inferior valve longest, finely punctured, roughened
at its apex ; the ventral plate lanceolate ; beneath, the basal
segment has a spot of white pubescence in the middle, and the
four following segments are fringed with white. B.M.
Male. Very closely resembling the female, being of the same
jet-black colour, and having the abdomen similarly spotted with
snow-white pubescence, the apical segment produced, forming
two bifurcate projections, the upper teeth scarcely produced,
viewed laterally appearing to be acute, the inferior teeth longer
and acute ; viewed from above, the upper teeth are rounded at
their apex; on each side of the apical segment is an acute spine,
and another at the angles of the fifth segment. B.M.
This very distinct and beautiful species is local. Mr. Curtis first
discovered it at Black Gang Chine, in the Isle of Wight, and has
given an excellent figure of it in his ' British Entomology.' In
1852, in the beginning of July, it occurred in tolerable abun-
dance in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight ; it is the parasite of Me-
gachile maritima. It has also been found at Little Hampton,
Sussex, and in Yorkshire, and has recently occurred at Wimble-
don in some numbers.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 151
Genus 5. STELIS.
Apis, pt., Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl i. 154 (1802).
MegiUa, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 328 (1804).
Stelis, Panz. Krit. Revis. ii. (1806).
Megachile, pt., Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 51 (1805).
Gyrodroma, King, Illig. Mag. vi. (1807).
Head transverse, the stemmata placed in a triangle on the
vertex ; antenna? filiform in both sexes. The labial palpi four-
jointed, the two basal joints elongate, the basal joint about two-
thirds of the length of the second joint, the two apical joints
minute. The maxillary palpi two-jointed, the joints minute. The
superior wings with one marginal and two submarginal cells,
the marginal cell as long as the two submarginals, its apex
rounded ; the submarginal cells of about equal length, the se-
cond receiving the first recurrent nervure a little within ; the
second recurrent nervure passes a little beyond the apex of the
second submarginal cell, and unites with the abbreviated cubi-
tal nervure ; the legs having the calcaria simple and the claws
bifid.
This genus of parasitic bees consists of a small number of
species ; about eight are at present known, three of which are
found in Britain. One species has been observed entering the
burrows of Osmiafulviventris, and Stelis minuta is parasitic on
O. leucomelana ; a specimen was obtained from a bramble-stick
containing the nest of Osmia. Leon Dufour has also obtained
/S. minuta from bramble-sticks.
1. Stelis aterrima.
S. nigra, punctulatissima ; scutello bidentato ; abdominis seg-
mentis marginibus decoloratis.
Apis aterrima, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 15.
Apis punctulatissima, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 231. 39. t. 16. f. 9.
Megilla aterrima, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 331. 15.
Megachile punctatissima, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 54.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 1. p. 135. 3.
Stelis aterrima, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 527. 1.
Smith, Zool. iii. 1154. 1 <? ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 275. 2.
152 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black, closely and strongly punc-
tured ; the head and thorax have a sparing cinereous pubes-
cence ; the scutellum rounded behind and armed on each side
with a short stout tooth ; the wings fusco-hyaline, a dark fus-
cous stripe traversing the marginal cell, the apical margins also
have a fuscous cloud. Abdomen incurved, shining, the apical
margins of the segments testaceous ; the apical segment sub-
angulate. B.M.
Male. This sex only differs from the female in having the
margin of the apical segment of the abdomen rounded.
This is a scarce insect, only occasionally met with : it has
occurred in Hampshire, at Birch Wood, Kent, and at Wey-
bridge ; but only one or two specimens at each locality.
2. Stelis phaeoptera.
S. atra, punctulatissima, albido subpubescens ; ano rectangulo.
Apis phaeoptera, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 232. 40 .
Megachile phaeoptera, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. ii. 527. 2.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 1. 136. 4.
Stelis phseoptera, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 527. 2.
Smith, Zeol. iii. 1154. 2.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 274. 1.
Female. Length 4 lines. Black, closely and strongly punc-
tured ; the face, cheeks, thorax on the sides and beneath, having
a thin hoary pubescence ; the posterior margin of the thorax
rounded, the scutellum coarsely punctured, unarmed; wings
fusco-hyaline, the apical margins clouded, a darker cloud oc-
cupying the marginal cell. Abdomen shining, the apex in-
curved and pointed, the apical segment subcarinate. B.M.
Male. Exactly resembling the female, the margin of the apical
segment of the abdomen entire. B.M.
This insect has been taken in Battersea Fields, usually in the
flowers of the Mallow. The female has been observed entering
the burrows of Osmia fulviventris in an old post : on one occa-
sion it flew out to a short distance and settled on another post :
at this moment the Osmia returned and entered the burrow :
immediately on her coming out the Stelis again re-entered :
this proceeding was repeated several times, probably until the
cell was properly furnished with food for the parasite-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 153
3. Stelis octomaculata.
S. atra, punctulatissima ; abdominis segmentis maculis laterali-
bus flavis.
Stelis octomaculata, Smith, Zool. iii. 1155. 3 ? .
Stelis ornatula, Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Supp. p. 106 $ .
Female. Length 3 lines. Black ; head and thorax closely and
strongly punctured, the face has a thin silvery-white pubes-
cence, the hinder margin of the vertex subemarginate. Thorax
shining, the wings fusco-hyaline, their apical margins clouded ;
the scutellum slightly produced, subangular, pointed in the
middle. The abdomen shining, closely punctured, but not so
strongly as the head and thorax; the basal segment has on
each side an ovate yellow macula, and the three following an
elongate-ovate stripe, pointed within ; the apex rotundate.
Male. Length 3 lines. Closely resembling the female, but
differing in having an ovate macula on the two basal segments
of the abdomen, the third has a narrow streak on each side, the
fourth two spots on each side, and the fifth a single spot.
This species was bred from the nest of Osmia leucomelana
some years since by Mr. Thwaites ; at that time it was believed
to be the Stelis minuta of St. Fargeau. Subsequently two fe-
males were taken by myself at Hawley, Hants, and a single
male bred from a bramble-stick containing cocoons of Osmia
leucomelana ; my specimens have been compared with those
taken by Mr. Thwaites, and proved to be the same species. In
order to ascertain with certainty whether the British species
was the Stelis minuta, I obtained specimens of that insect from
the Continent, and found the British species to be distinct. The
most obvious differences in the two species are the following :
S. octomaculata has the hinder margin of the vertex nearly
straight; the scutellum is subangular, pointed in the middle
and slightly produced; the insect is also coarsely punctured.
S. minuta has the vertex deeply emarginate its entire width ; the
scutellum is rounded behind, and not produced; the insect is
much more finely punctured than S. octomaculata.
Dr. Sichel of Paris obligingly furnished the specimens for
comparison.
H5
154 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Genus 6. MELECTA.
Apis, pt., Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 378 (1775).
Centris, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 354 (1804).
Melecta, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 48 (1805).
Crocisa, pt., Jurine, Hym. p. 239 (1807).
Symmorpha, King, Illig. Mag. vi. (1807).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a line on the vertex ; the
antennae filiform, the basal joint of the flagellum most slender at
the base. The labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint thrice
the length of the second joint, the two apical joints minute,
placed at the side and near the apex of the second joint. The
maxillary palpi five-jointed, the basal joint short, stout and ovate,
the second, third and fourth, of nearly equal length, the apical
joint shorter. The superior wings with one marginal and three
submarginal cells ; the marginal cell not much longer than the
first submarginal cell, rounded at its apex; the second sub-
marginal cell much narrowed towards the marginal, receiving
the first recurrent nervure towards its apex ; the third sub-
marginal receiving the second recurrent nervure ; the third
transverse cubital nervure much bent or elbowed towards the
apex of the wing. The calcaria of the posterior tibiae have the
inner spine serrated, those on the intermediate tibiae are simple ;
the claws of the anterior tarsi bifid.
The two species of the genus Melecta which are found in this
country are amongst the most conspicuous and elegant of our
indigenous bees. The shining jet spotted with snow-white which
adorns the type, M. luctuosa, cannot fail to excite our admiration.
Melecta is the parasite of Anthophora ; I have frequently bred it
from the cells of that bee. In the autumn of 1852 a large number
of larvae from the nests of Anthophora were obtained ; no differ-
ence of form could be detected amongst them, but some were
of an orange-yellow, and others white : all the yellow larvae
proved to be those of Anthophora, and some of the pale-coloured
specimens those of Melecta. These bees are frequently infested
with the larvae of Meloe ; sometimes as many as a dozen may be
observed adhering to the sides of the metathorax of a single in-
dividual.
BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN. 155
1. Melecta luctuosa.
M. aterrima, albido-villosa ; abdominis segmentis utrinque puncto
subquadrato niveo ornatis.
Apis luctuosa, Scop. Ann. Hist. Nat. iv. p. 9.
Schrank, Ins. Aust. p. 404. 816.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 105. 918.
Apis punctata, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 385. 43 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 337. 99.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 35. 23 ? .
Melecta punctata, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 48.
Fabr. Syst. Piez. 387. 7.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 153. 3.
Brulle, Exped. Sc. de Moree, p. 342. 757.
Blanch. Hist. Nat. Ins. 411. t. 6. f. 8.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 441. 1.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 211. 145.
Melecta notata, Illig. Mag. v. 99. 2.
Symmorpha punctata, King, Illig. Mag. vi. p. 227.
Melecta Atropos, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 514. 6 < .
Smith, Zool. iii. 1149. 2 $ $ .
Melecta Lachesis, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 514. 5 $ .
Female. Length 6 lines. Jet-black, shining; the clypeus
covered with snow-white pubescence, on the vertex a little black
pubescence, the margin being fringed with white. Thorax :
the pubescence on the prothorax cinereous, the tegulae and scu-
tellum fringed with black, a tuft of white beneath the wings
and another behind their insertion ; the scutellum has on each
side an obtuse tooth, sometimes nearly obsolete. Abdomen :
the basal segment has on each side a tuft of snow-white pubes-
cence, the second, third and fourth segments have on each side
an oblong- quadrate snow-white spot ; all the tibiae have a snow-
white spot at their base; the wings fusco-hyaline, darkest
towards their apical margins. B.M.
Male. This sex only differs in having a white fringe on the an-
terior and intermediate femora and the addition of two spots on
the fifth abdominal segment. B.M.
The synonymy of the two species of the genus Melecta which
we find in this country has been greatly confused, and the true
Melecta punctata has been deemed an unfathomable enigma : it
is quite true that the descriptions of the punctata of Fabricius
would apply equally well to either of the indigenous species ; but
on referring to his last work, the ' Systema Piezatorum/ we find
the genus Melecta of Latreille adopted, and the M. punctata
given as synonymous with the species figured by Panzer, which
156 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
is undoubtedly identical with the A. luctuosa of Scopoli and
Schrank: the description of the latter author is admirable.
This species appears to be by far the most abundant and widely
distributed, occurring in Denmark and Sweden; the second
species, M. armata, not having been observed so far to the north
of Europe. In this country, M. luctuosa is by far the scarcer
of the two, it is extremely local, and is parasitic on Anthophora
retusa ; it appears therefore later in the season than M. armata,
usually about the beginning of May ; it has occurred on Hamp-
stead Heath, Blackheath, near Shirley, at Hawley, Hants, and
Coomb Wood, Surrey.
2. Melecta armata.
M. atra, cinereo-villosa ; abdominis segmentis utrinque puncto
ovato albo ornatis.
Apis punctata, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 219. 35 $ .
Don. Brit. Ins. xii. 47. 376.
Andrena armata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 70. 22.
Melecta punctata, Brutte, Exped. Sc. de More'e, iii. 342. 717.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. t. 125 $ .
Smith, ZoolAii. 1148.1.
Melecta Clotho, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 513 $ .
Melecta Alecto, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 513. 3 $ .
Var. Melecta Tisiphone et Megaera, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 513 $ .
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the face and vertex clothed
with long cinereous pubescence, that on the clypeus brightest,
the labrum and cheeks have a black pubescence. Thorax : the
disk has the pubescence cinereous, that on the scutellum is
black, and on each side is a tuft of white ; the wings subhyaline,
their margins fuscous; the intermediate and posterior tibia?
have a white patch at their base. Abdomen smooth and shining,
a tuft of white pubescence on each side at the base, the second
segment has a similar tuft, and sometimes a round spot within,
the third and fourth have on each side a minute round spot of
white pubescence. B.M.
Var. /3. Black ; the pubescence black, intermixed on the face,
thorax anteriorly, and on the metathorax laterally with cine-
reous ; an obscure cinereous spot at the base of the intermediate
and posterior tibiae ; the abdomen obscurely cinereous at the
base, the third and fourth segments have on each side a minute
white spot. (MegGra, Newm.)
Var. y. The pubescence black, except a few cinereous hairs on
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 157
each side of the metathorax and abdomen at its base ; a mi-
nute cinereous spot sometimes on each side of the third
segment. (Tisiphone, Newm.)
Male. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the face has the pubescence
cinereous, that on the thorax is of the same colour; the scu-
tellurn bidentate and covered with black pubescence, the inter-
mediate tibiae above and the posterior pair at their base have a
short white pubescence. Abdomen : the base thinly clothed
with cinereous pubescence, and having on each side a tuft of
nearly white pubescence, a similar tuft on the second, and two
minute white spots on each of the following segments placed
laterally, and sometimes the fifth segment is also spotted. B.M.
The male seldom varies in the markings of the abdomen, and
the colouring in other respects is pretty constant ; but if the in-
sect is reared from the cells, the entire pubescence will have an
ochraceous tint ; the same is the case in very recent specimens
taken at large : the female varies greatly, from the pretty
spotted insect described to one totally black. This species is
found in all parts of the United Kingdom ; it may be seen in
multitudes, frequenting the nests of Anthophora acervorum ; in
these attacks it is frequently accompanied by Chrysis ignita.
Subfamily 3. DASYGASTR^, Latr.
Genus 7. OSMIA.
Apis, pt.,Zmw. Syst. Nat. 953 (1766).
Andrena, pt., Fabr.Ent. Syst. ii. 307 (1793).
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. 372 (1804),
Osraia, Latr. Encycl Meth. viii. 576 (1791).
Amblys, King, Illig. Mag. vi.(1807).
Hoplitis, Kluff, Illig. Mag. vi.
Trachusa, pt.', Jurine, Hym. (1808).
Diphisis, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 307 (1841).
The labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint elongate, the se-
cond nearly twice as long, the third and fourth minute, the third
inserted at the apex of the second, the fourth at the apex of the
third, the two latter clavate, truncate at their apex. The maxillary
palpi four-jointed, the basal joint stoutest, broadest at the base,
about the same length as the second and third joints, the apical
158 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
joint minute. The superior wings with one marginal and two
submarginal cells, the second submarginal cell receiving the two
recurrent nervures.
In the female the head is usually very large, subquadrate, the
ocelli placed forward on the vertex in a slight curve ; the abdo-
men furnished with a dense pollen-brush beneath.
Males usually resembling the females, but more slender, having
the antennae longer, and the apex of their abdomen generally
armed with spines or teeth.
If I were asked which genus of bees would afford the most
abundant materials for an essay on the diversity of instinct, I
should without hesitation point out the genus Osmia. I propose
to notice in this place all that has occurred to me during an
attentive observation of their economy for the last twenty years.
Mr. Kirby in the ' Monographia Apurn Angliae,' has quoted the
history of Reaumur's Mason-bee, which although not included
in the present genus, is still so nearly allied, that its history
might be taken as a parallel to that of Osmia ; but as it is not
a British species, I merely allude to it, to call attention to the
highly interesting history given by Reaumur of its economy.
The most abundant species is Osmia bicornis ; its economy is
varied by circumstances; in Killy country, or at the sea-side, it
chooses the sunny side of cliffs or sandy banks, in which to
form its burrows ; but in cultivated districts, particularly if the
soil be clayey, it selects a decaying tree, preferring the stump of
an old willow ; it lays up a store of pollen and honey for the
larvae, which when full-grown spin a tough dark brown cocoon,
in which they remain in the larva state until the autumn, when
the majority change to pupae, and soon arrive at their perfect
condition ; many however pass the winter in the larva state. In
attempting to account for so remarkable a circumstance, all must
be conjecture, but it is not of unfrequent occurrence; this
species also frequently makes its burrows in the mortar of old
walls. Osmia leucomelana may be observed availing itself of a
most admirable, and almost ready, adaptation for a burrow ; it
selects the dead branches of the common bramble ; with little
labour the parent bee removes the pith, usually to the length of
from five to six inches ; at the end she deposits the requisite
quantity of food, which she closes in with a substance resembling
masticated leaves, evidently vegetable matter; she usually forms
five or six cells in one bramble-stick. The bee does not extract
the whole of the pith, but alternately widens and contracts the
diameter of the tube, each contraction marking the end of a cell ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 159
the egg is deposited on the food immediately before closing up
the cell ; it is white, oblong, and about the size and shape of a
caraway-seed: the larva is hatched in about eight days, and
feeds about ten or twelve, when it is full-grown ; it then spins
a thin silken covering, and remains in an inactive state until
the following spring, when it undergoes its transformations,
and appears usually in the month of June.
Osmia hirta burrows in wood, seldom in any other mate-
rial;, the same habit will be observed in Osmia amea; but
I have observed this bee more than once constructing its
burrow in the mortar of walls, and sometimes in hard sand-
banks. Osmia aurulenta and 0. bicolor are bees which com-
monly burrow in banks, the latter being very abundant in some
situations, forming colonies ; but although it appears to be the
natural habit of these species to construct tunnels in hard
banks, with great labour and untiring perseverance, still we find
them at times exhibiting an amount of sagacity, and a degree of
knowledge, that at once dispels the idea of their actions being
the result of a mere blind instinct, impelling them in one unde-
viatiug course. A moment's consideration will suffice to call to
mind many tunnels and tubes ready-formed, which would appear
to be admirably adapted for the purposes of the bee for in-
stance, the straws of a thatch, and many reeds ; and what could
be more admirably adapted to their requirements than the tubes
of many shells ? So thinks the bee ! 0. aurulenta and 0. bi-
color both select the shells of Helix hortensis and H. nemoralis :
the shells of these snails are of course very abundant, and lie
half hidden beneath grass, mosses, and plants ; the bees find-
ing them in such situations, dispense with their accustomed
labour and take possession of the deserted shells. The number
of cells varies according to the length of the whorl of the shell
selected, the usual number being four, but in some instances
they construct five or six, commencing at the end of the whorl ;
a suitable supply of pollen and honey is collected, an egg de-
posited, and a partition formed of abraded vegetable matter ;
the process is repeated until the requisite number is formed,
when the whole is most carefully protected by closing up the
entrance with small pellets of clay, sticks and pebbles ; these are
firmly cemented together with some glutinous matter, and the
bee has finished her task.
We will now observe the intelligence of the bee under different
circumstances : she has selected the adult shell of Helix aspersa ;
the whorl of this species is much larger in diameter than that
of H. nemoralis or H. hortensis too wide, in fact, for a single
cell ; our little architect, never at a loss, readily adapts it to
her purpose by forming two cells side by side, and as she ad-
160 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
vances towards the entrance of the whorl, it becomes too wide
even for this contrivance ; here let us admire the ingenuity of
the little creature ; she constructs a couple of cells transversely !
And this is the little animal which has been so blindly slandered
as being a mere machine !
I will take this opportunity of correcting a very widely diffused
error, which appears to have originated with Reaumur ; or, if
his account of the development of Xylocopa be correct, it
differs from that of every wood-boring bee which inhabits this
country : he says, " When the larva assumes the pupa, it is
placed in its cell with its head downwards ; a very wise precau-
tion, for thus it is prevented, when it has attained to its perfect
state and is eager to emerge into day, from making its way out
upwards, and disturbing the tenants of the superincumbent cells,
who being of later date, each than its neighbour below-stairs,
are not yet quite ready to go into public." Mr. Kirby also
quotes from a letter by the Rev. George Ashby, who, after de-
scribing the nest of Megachile centuncularis, says, " The lowest
and first born passes out through the bottom of its own (lowest)
cell ; and so escapes without disturbing the rest, who are not
yet ready to emigrate." All such conclusions originate in con-
jecture. In the case of Osmia aurulenta constructing her cells
in the spiral tube of a snail's cell, where is the possibility of
escape? when burrowing in a sand-bank, the same difficulty
presents itself; when Chelostoma florisomnis avails itself of the
tube of a straw or reed, how is the insect to pass the first
knot which opposes its escape ? Such are the results of theo-
retical conclusions : let us seek for knowledge in the careful in-
vestigation of the operations of nature.
A bee is observed to alight on an upright post, or other wood
suitable for its purposes; she commences the formation of her tun-
nel, not by excavating downwards, as she would be incommoded
with the dust and rubbish which she removes ; no, she works
upwards, and so avoids such an inconvenience. When she has
proceeded to the length required, she proceeds in a horizontal
direction to the outside of the post, and now her operations are
continued downwards"; she constructs a cell near the bottom of
the tube, a second and a third, and so on to the required num-
ber; the larvae when full-fed have their heads turned upwards;
the bees which arrive at their perfect condition, or rather those
which are first anxious to escape into day, are two or three in
the upper cells, these are males ; the females are usually ten or
twelve days later. This is the history of every wood-boring bee
which I have bred, and I have reared broods of nearly every
species indigenous to the country. I have observed in the in-
stance of Chelostoma jlorisomnis, that whilst one bee was carry-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 161
ing on her operations as detailed above, another was tunneling
in a horizontal rail : here no lower opening was required, the
bee pushed the chips out at the entrance, and as no outlet was
necessary at the end of the tunnel, the bee in this case made
none.
There is still another species of this genus whose habits are
so different to the rest, that our admiration of the ingenuity
of these bees is greatly increased when we consider its curious
details, and reflect upon the degree of care and foresight exhi-
bited by the provident parent, this is the Osmia parietina, a bee
only found in the northern parts of this country. This species
selects the underside of a slate or stone lying on the ground, and
having a hollow space beneath ; to the stone the bee attaches
the little balls of pollen. A stone of this kind was found at
Glen Almond, Perthshire, on the Grampians, 800 feet above the
level of the sea, by Mr. J. Robertson, who, on turning it up,
observed a mass of cocoons ; although he was not much ac-
quainted with entomology, still he knew them to be the produc-
tion of some insect; he presented the stone to the British
Museum, and it was placed in my hands for observation. The
size of the stone was 10 inches by 6 ; the number of cocoons
attached to it two hundred and thirty : when first discovered,
about one-third of them were empty ; this was in the month of
November. In the beginning of the following March, a few
males made their appearance, and shortly afterwards some fe-
males ; they continued to come forth occasionally until the end
of June ; at this time there remained thirty-five undeveloped
cocoons ; on opening one or two of them, they proved to contain
active larvae ; these I carefully closed, and left the whole undis-
turbed until the following April, at which time, on examination,
they proved to be still in the larva state ; but at the end of May
they changed to pupae, and about the end of June began to come
forth perfect insects. This, then, was the result a portion of
a deposit of eggs made in 1849 had been three years in arriving
at maturity : when found, one-third were developed ; the follow-
ing year a second brood came forth, and whilst in my possession
a third. In the first instance, the whole deposit was subject to
the same influences, and had produced larvae ; what was the
cause of the retarded development of the rest, it were vain to
attempt to determine.
The Osmia parietina is subject to the parasitical attacks of a
species of Chrysis, which destroys them in the larva state. The
Chrysis obtained from the cocoons of this bee is a new spe-
cies, closely allied to the C. Austriaca. A chalcididous insect,
Monodontomerus dentipes, is parasitic on the larva of 0. bi-
162 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
cornis: large numbers of them have been obtained from the
cocoons of that bee.
I have observed Stelis ph&optera entering the burrows of
0. hirta and 0. ccerulescens ; it is parasitic upon these species.
Stelis octomaculata is parasitic on 0. leucomelana, and Stelis
minuta is parasitic on the same species.
T trust it will not be considered that I have enlarged more
than is desirable upon the economy of these interesting insects ;
but who can reflect upon the variety of situations in which they
form their cells, the expedients to which they resort, and not
admire the patience, the skill, and the admirable ingenuity by
which these bees accomplish their purpose ?
1. Osmia rufa.
O. atra, hirsuta ; abdomine aeneo, hirsutie rufa tecto ; fronte, in
fcemina, bicorni, atra ; . fronte in mare simplici, albida ; ano
integro.
Apis rufa, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 420. 1690 ; Syst. Nat. i. 954. 9 < ,
JSf Cab. Mus, Linn. Soc.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 385. 39 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 334. 88.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 103. 913.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 10.
Apis bicornis, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 420. 1691 ; Syst. Nat. i. 954.
10 ? , 8f Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 384. 38.
Christ. Hym. p. 159. 1. 12. f. 9.
Rossi, Mant. p. 310.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 271. 57.
Apicis bicornis, Harris, Expos, p. 162. t. 49. f . 4 $ .
Apicis agino, Harris, Expos, p. 162. t. 49. f. 7 <J .
Apis cornigera, Rossi, Faun. Etrusc.ii. 108. 925 $ .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 15.
Megachile cornigera, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 147. 15 ^ .
Anthophora bicornis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 375. 16 $ $ .
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 466. 5.
Megachile bicornis, Latr. Hist. Ins. xiv. p. 50.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 147. 15.
Osmia bicornis, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 576. 3.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 314. 2.
Smith, Zool. ii. 745. 8.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 259. 1.
Amhlys rufa, Klug, Illig. Mag. vi. 198. 220.
Osmia rufa, Smith, Cat. Brit. Hym. p. 78. 1.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 269. 1.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 163
Female. Length 4-6 lines. Head and thorax nigro-aeneous ;
the face clothed with black pubescence, and armed on each
side of the clypeus with a stout horn, which is oblique, or
sometimes notched at the apex, the horns bent inwards.
Thorax : the disk clothed with black pubescence, intermixed
with fulvous posteriorly; that on the sides beneath, on the
metathorax and femora, of a yellowish-white ; the pubescence
on the tibiae and tarsi fulvous, that on the tarsi beneath rufo-
fulvous ; the calcaria and claws rufo-testaceous ; wings sub-
hyaline, clouded towards their apex, the marginal cell having a
fuscous stripe along its anterior margin; the nervures fusco-
ferruginous. B.M.
Var. /3. Length 4 lines. The horns on the face angular.
Male. Length 31-5 lines. Strongly resembling the female,
the face unarmed, clothed with long white hair ; the an-
tennae slender and filiform, nearly as long as the thorax ; the
head and thorax are of a blue-green, the wings as in the
female ; the pubescence on the disk of the thorax long and of
an ochraceous tint, the legs clothed as in the other sex. Ab-
domen densely clothed with long fulvous pubescence, suberect,
and arranged in fasciae; the margin of the apical segment
entire. B.M.
This is by far the most abundant species of the genus, and is
distributed over the country ; it is met with in all parts of the
continent, from the south of Italy to the north of Lapland. The
beautiful bright colouring of the insect soon fades from age,
and is met with of all shades between that of the description
and an entirely hoary pubescence.
Osmia cornuta has been recorded as being found in this
country, but there is no satisfactory evidence of the fact ; it is
therefore omitted.
2. Osmia aurulenta.
O. nigra, ferrugineo-rufo-villosa ; abdominis segmentis margi-
nibus fulvis, ano in mare bidentato.
Apis aurulenta, Panz. Faun. Germ. 63. 22 $ .
Apis haeraatoda, Panz. Faun. Germ. 81. 20 $ .
Apis tunensis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 269. 56.
Megachile tunensis, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 58. 13 ?.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 144. 11.
Osmia aurulenta, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 584. 19.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 323. t. 20. f . 4 ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Supp. p. 103.
164 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Osmia tunensis, Brulle, Exped. Sc. de Moree, iii. 388. 751.
Smith, Zool. ii. 744. 6.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 189. 106. t. 7. f. 6.
Female. Length 4-4f lines. Black, closely punctured; the
head large, subquadrate, nearly as wide as the thorax ; mandi-
bles stout, tridentate, the apical tooth acute ; the face clothed
with a short fulvous pubescence ; the antennae not longer than
the head, subfiliform and slender. Thorax clothed with a rufo-
fulvous pubescence, paler beneath; the wings fusco-hyaline,
the nervures and tegulse ferruginous ; the legs have a rufo-ful-
vous pubescence, that on the tarsi beneath bright ferruginous ;
the calcaria rufo-testaceous, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen
subglobose, at the base and on the sides a rufo-fulvous pubes-
cence ; the margins of the segments have a short fringe of the
same colour ; beneath densely clothed with bright ferruginous
pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5J lines. The face densely clothed with long
pale pubescence, that on the vertex and disk of the thorax
ochraceous ; both the latter have an aeneous tinge ; the pu-
bescence on the sides of the thorax and beneath, hoary ; the
legs have a similar pubescence ; the wings as in the female.
Abdomen narrowest at its base, obscurely aeneous, the base
has a little pale pubescence, the margins of the three apical
segments have a fringe of bright fulvo-ferruginous pubes-
cence ; the margin of the sixth segment slightly notched in the
middle and deeply emarginate laterally, forming a stout in-
curved tooth ; the apical segment concealed, bidentate. B.M.
This species is very abundant in many localities in the western
and south-western counties, but no examples have been re-
ceived from the north. I have a series of specimens from
Wales even richer in colour than my own bred specimens. The
male described by Mr. Kirby as belonging to this species is that
of 0. xanthomelana, as may be seen by an examination of the
typical specimen in the Kirbian collection. The usual time for
this insect to appear is the end of March, but it is found most
numerously in April and May.
3. Osmia bicolor.
0. hirsuta aterrima; abdomine tarsisque quatuor posticis hir-
suto-ferrugineis. Corpore in mare fusco-seneo, hirsutie pal-
lida, ano emarginato.
Apis bicolor, Schrank, Ins. Aust. p. 806 $ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 277. 58.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 165
Apis fusca, Christ. Hym. p. 182. t. 14. f. 10 ? .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 11.
Anthophora fusca, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 377. 20.
Osmia bicolor, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 580. 10 ?.
St. Far. Hym. ii. 318. 7.
Smithy Zool. 746. 9 3 $ .
Nyland.Ap. Boreal Supp. p. 103.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Black ; the head not so wide as
the 'thorax, both clothed with deep black pubescence ; wings
subhyaline, their apical margins having a fuscous cloud, the
nervures and tegulse black; the intermediate and posterior
tibiae and all the tarsi have a short ferruginous pubescence ;
the tarsi obscure ferruginous. Abdomen subglobose, clothed
with bright ferruginous pubescence above and beneath ; the
base above has a little black pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4^ lines. Fusco-aeneous, head and thorax very
closely punctured ; the face, clothed with pale yellow pubes-
cence, that on "the clypeus very dense, and nearly white.
Thorax : the disk thinly clothed with pale yellow pubescence,
much paler on the sides, hoary beneath ; the legs have a pale
pubescence, the apical joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdo-
men oblong-ovate, shining, and thinly covered with long pale
pubescence ; two or three of the apical segments have a fringe
of pale fulvous pubescence, as well as the extreme lateral
margins of the abdomen ; the margin of the sixth segment
entire, the seventh bidentate, or rather deeply notched. B.M.
No examples of this insect have been found in the north
of England, nor is it frequently met with in the vicinity of
London ; it was taken twice or thrice, some years ago, at Old
Brompton. It occurs in profusion at Purfleet, and in several
places in Kent, and abounds in the vicinity of Bristol. Mr. Wal-
cott has captured several gigantic examples of the male, some
of which are eight lines in length. The males are frequently
entirely hoary.
4. Osmia xanthomelana.
0. aterrima, villosa; thorace abdominisque basi lanuginoso-
fulvescentibus ; corpore in mare fulvescenti hirsute ; fronte
albida ; abdomine nigro-seneo, ano bidentato.
Apis xanthomelana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 246. 46 $ .
Osmia atricapilla, Curtis, Brit. Ent. v. t. 222 $ .
Waterh. Zool. ii. 403 $ ? .
166 BEES OP GRBAT BRITAIN.
Osmia nigriventris, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 465. 4 9
Osmia xanthomelana, Smith, Zool. ii. 745. 7.
Steph. III. Brit. Ent. Mand. vii. Supp. 16. 2. t. 43. f. 2.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal Supp. p. 270. 5.
Female. Length 4-6f lines. Black ; head as wide as the
thorax, the face clothed with black pubescence, intermixed
with brown on the margin of the vertex. Thorax clothed above
with reddish-brown pubescence ; that on the sides beneath, and
also that on the legs, black ; the wings fusco-hy aline, a dark
cloud occupying the upper portion of the marginal cell, the
nervures fusco-ferruginous. Abdomen shining, subglobose ;
the first, and the basal margin of the second segment, with
reddish-brown pubescence, on the following segments it is
black ; beneath, densely clothed with black pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-4^ lines. The head as wide as the thorax, the
face clothed with white pubescence, intermixed with ochraceous
at the insertion of the antennae, which are shorter than the
thorax ; the thorax has a fulvous pubescence above, beneath it
is griseous; the wings rather clearer than in the other sex.
Abdomen shining, its pubescence fulvous; the sixth segment
slightly notched in the middle, the seventh bidentate ; be-
neath, the second ventral plate is pointed in the middle, and
the third deeply notched, the notch ciliated with bright yellow
hau*s.
I once met with this very local species in Sandown Bay, Isle
of Wight, in the beginning of July, when I captured two spe-
cimens of the female ; they were in a faded condition, the time
for the appearance of the insect being April. Mr. Waterhouse
has given an excellent account of the habits of this insect in the
6 Zoologist.' In my collection are two small examples of this
species, which Dr. Nylander separated from 0. xanthomelana,
and assured me that they were the 0. fuciformis of Latreille.
Such may be the case, but if so, I can only regard that species
as synonymous with the present : indeed the description in
the ' Encyclopedic Methodique ' points out no distinct differ-
ences. The colour of the thorax changes from deep fulvous to
ochraceous from age and exposure ; the abdomen, when denuded
of pubescence, shows the base to be rather narrower than to-
wards the apex.
5. Osmia parietina.
O. aterrima, villosa; capite, thorace, abdominisque segmento
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 167
primo, in mare etfcemina fulvo-villosis ; ano in mare integro ;
facie subcinerea.
Osmia parietina, Curtis, Brit. Ent. v. t. 222 $ .
Smith, Zool. ii. 743. 4 $ ; Cat. Hym. Acul. Append, p. 123 <J .
Female. Length 4 lines. Black : the face clothed with long
pale fulvous pubescence, at the insertion of the antennae it is
brighter, as well as that on the margin of the vertex ; the cly-
peus produced and truncate anteriorly. Thorax densely clothed
with rather long rich rufo-fulvous pubescence ; wings subhya-
line, and having a fuscous cloud at their apical margins, and a
dark fuscous stain on the exterior margin of the marginal cell ;
the nervures fusco-ferruginous ; the pubescence on the legs
above black, intermixed with pale fulvous on the tarsi, which
are of a reddish-brown beneath ; the claws ferruginous. Abdo-
men shining and very delicately punctured, the basal segment
thinly clothed with fulvous pubescence ; beneath densely
clothed with black pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3-3^ lines. Head and thorax brassy-black, the
face below the antennae, and the cheeks, covered with long
white pubescence, that on the vertex is thin and ferruginous ;
the thorax clothed above with rufo-fulvous pubescence; be-
neath, as well as on the legs, it is hoary ; wings as in the other
sex. Abdomen subglobose, shining and delicately punctured, the
basal segment clothed with long, erect, pale pubescence, on the
following segments it is shorter and black ; the sixth segment
entire, the seventh concealed, notched in the middle. B.M.
This little bee was first taken by Mr. Curtis, some years
ago, at Ambleside, on the banks of Windermere, in Westmore-
land ; for twenty years subsequently no person met with it,
until it was rediscovered in 1850 on the Grampians, in Perth-
shire ; it is a beautiful species, and doubtless extremely local ;
it has also been captured at Loch Rannoch.
6. Osmia pilicornis.
0. aterrima, villosa ; capite, thorace abdominisque seginentis
duobus basalibus in f&mina fulvo-villosis ; antennis in mare
subtus ciliatis ; capite, thorace abdomineque cinereo-hirsutis ;
ano emarginato.
Osmia pilicornis, Smith, Zool. iv. 1567 $ $ .
Female. Length 4-41 lines. Black ; the face has a thinly
scattered black pubescence, the head is closely punctured, the
clypeus coarsely so, slightly produced, its anterior margin trun-
168 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
cate; the antennae slightly piceous beneath. Thorax clothed
above with rufo-fulvous pubescence ; the wings fusco-hyaline,
their apical margins having a darker cloud ; the marginal cell
has a fuscous stripe above; the tegulae and nervures rufo-
piceous. Abdomen subglobose, shining and faintly punctured,
the two basal segments thinly clothed with pale fulvous pubes-
cence ; beneath the pubescence is dense and black. B.M.
Male. Length 4 4% lines. Nigro-aeneous ; the face densely
clothed with long white pubescence, at the insertion of the
antennae it is pale ochraceous ; the antennae nearly as long as
the head and thorax, the flagellum pilose beneath. Thorax
thinly clothed on the disk with long pale ochraceous pubes-
cence, at the sides and beneath it is white, the anterior femora
densely fringed with white pubescence, on the rest of the femora,
tibiae, and tarsi it is of the same colour, but thinly scattered ;
the posterior femora and tibiae subincrassate ; the wings sub-
hyaline and iridescent. Abdomen ovate, shining and closely
punctured, the apical margins of the segments impunctate and
very glossy, at the base, sides, and apex, a long griseous pu-
bescence ; on the third and fourth segments it is slightly
ochraceous ; the sixth and seventh segments are both deeply
emarginate in the middle. B.M.
The female of this species very closely resembles that of O.
parietina, from which it may at once be distinguished by having
black pubescence on the face and fulvous pubescence on the
two basal segments; 0. parietina also agrees with 0. xantho-
melana in the colour of its pubescence, but the latter has the
face densely covered with black pubescence, whilst in O. parie-
tina it is very pale. This is a very local species, and was once
captured in the month of April, at Birch Wood, Kent. Mr.
Walcott finds both sexes near Bristol in considerable abundance ;
he observes that it appears to confine its visits to the flowers of
the Common Bugle.
7. Osmia fulviventris.
0. atra, pallido-villosa; abdomine nitido, atro-caerulescenti, ventre
lana ferruginea tecto ; ano in mare subemarginato.
Apis fulviventris, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 18.
Apis Leaiana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 263. 54 $ .
Osmia Leaiana, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 3. p. 200. 1 .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p, 262. 3 ? .
Osmia fulviventris, Latr. Encycl. Meth. viii. 578. 7.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 319. 9.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 169
Osmia fulviventris, Brulle, Hist. Nat. Canar. ii. pt. 2. Entom.
p. 85. 18.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 192. 115.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Revis. p. 272. 10.
Osmia hirta, Smith, Zool. ii. 742. 3.
Female. Length 4-5 lines. Black : head as wide as the thorax,
subquadrate ; the head and thorax very closely punctured ; the
face thinly clothed with pale fulvous pubescence; the anterior
margin of the clypeus bidentate ; the mandibles very stout, pu-
bescent at the sides ; the antennae not longer than the head.
Thorax thinly clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, that on the
legs is of the same colour ; wings fusco-hyaline, their margins
having a dark fuscous cloud. Abdomen oblong, atro-caeru-
leous, a little narrowed towards the base, very glossy, strongly
and regularly punctured ; beneath densely clothed with bright
ferruginous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Nigro-aeneous, similarly punctured
to the female ; the face clothed with fulvous pubescence, that
on the clypeus of a paler and brighter colour ; the antennae a
little longer than the head ; the disk of the thorax clothed with
long fulvous pubescence, palest at the sides and beneath. Ab-
domen oblong-ovate, thinly covered with pale fulvous pubes-
cence, the margins of the segments slightly depressed ; the
sixth segment has its margin notched in the middle, and has a
slight central depression ; the seventh segment is bidentate.
B.M.
This species appears to be widely dispersed, but it is still a
local insect ; it is not uncommon about Battersea and Hammer-
smith during June and July. Mr. Wollaston brought examples
from Cornwall. It makes its burrows in decaying wood. Stelis
phceoptera has been observed entering its nests.
As there is a doubt whether Fourcroy's Apis hirta is really
synonymous, Latreille's name has been adopted for the species.
8. Osmia spinulosa.
0. atra cinereo-subvillosa ; scutello bidentato ; ano maris in-
flexo, spinuloso, ventre basi cornuto.
Apis spinulosa, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 261. 53.
Osmia spinulosa, Smith, Zool. ii. 741. 2.
Female. Length 3-3f lines. Black, shining, and strongly punc-
tured ; the face has a little cinereous pubescence at the sides of
the clypeus, and a little pale ochractous pubescece at the in-
L
*0 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
sertion of the antennae. Thorax : the disk thinly covered with
pale ochraceous pubescence, at the sides and beneath it is hoary -,
the scutellum rounded behind, and armed on each side with a
small acute tooth ; the wings fusco-hyaline, palest towards
their base, the nervures fuscous ; the legs have a short gri-
seous pubescence, the calcaria pale testaceous, the claws fer-
ruginous. Abdomen subglobose, shining, and strongly punc-
tured, the margins of the segments slightly depressed ; beneath
densely clothed with fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Black, very closely punctured ; the face
densely clothed with pale yellow pubescence ; the antennae
filiform, a little longer than the head. Thorax having a sparing
pale ochraceous pubescence ; wings as in the female ; the apical
joints of the tarsi ferruginous. Abdomen incurved, the sixth
segment having a series of minute spines on its apical margin ;
the seventh segment armed with a short tooth in the centre of
its apical margin ; beneath, and the basal segment, armed with
a stout acute spine. B.M.
This little bee is not uncommon during July and August in
some localities ; Mr. S. Stevens has taken it in Sussex, and it
has frequently occurred in various parts of Kent and Hamp-
shire ; it is plentiful at the landslip, Luccomb Chine, Isle of
Wight, in July, and may be found reposing in a species of
Hieracium in company with Panurgus calcaratus. It does not
occur in the London district. It is easily distinguished from all
the other species.
9. Osmia aenea.
O. corpore foemina cserulescenti, albido-subpubescenti ; ventrc
lana atra dense vestito : corpore maris seneo, fulvo-pubescenti,
ano bidentato.
Apis senea, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 421. 1695 ; Syst. Nat. i. 995.
20<?.
Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 303. 809.
Apis cserulescens, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 421. 1696 $ ; Syst. Nat. i.
995. 21 $ .
Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 264. 55 ^ $ .
Andrena cserulescens, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 376. 2 ^ .
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 86. 893.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 65. 18.
Andrena senea, Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 96. 894 $ .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 3.
Anthophora senea, Fabr, Syst. Piez. p. 381. 40.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 1/
Meg'achile casrulescens, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. 1. 145. 12.
Osmia caerulescens, Latr. Encycl. Me'th. viii. 581. 12 $ $ .
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 325. 16.
Brulle, Hist. Nat. Canar. iii. 85. 10.
Smith, Zool ii. 743. 5.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 190.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 262. 4 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 271. 8.
Abeille ma0ime, etc., Be Geer, Ins. ii. 751. t. 30. f. 23 $ & t. 32.
. 'f. !<?.
Female. Length 3|-4 lines. Deep blue ; head as wide as the
thorax, subquadrate, closely punctured, the antennae not longer
than the head; mandibles very stout, longitudinally grooved,
pubescent ; a little white pubescence on each side of the face
below the insertion of the antennae, the cheeks have also a white
pubescence. Thorax very closely punctured, and having a little
white pubescence at the sides of the metathorax ; the wings sub-
hyaline, the margins having a fuscous cloud ; the legs have a
glittering hoary pubescence. Abdomen subglobose, shining,
finely and closely punctured, at the base there is a little thin hoary
pubescence, the apical margins of the segments have a narrow
white fringe, broadly interrupted on the three basal ones, usually
obliterated on the first ; beneath densely clothed with black
pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3i-4 lines. Brassy-green ; the head and thorax
very closely punctured, the head subquadrate, as wide as the
thorax ; the face clothed with long fulvous pubescence, palest
on the clypeus. Thorax : the disk thinly covered with pale
fulvous pubescence ; beneath more or less hoary ; the wings
as in the other sex. Abdomen narrowed at the base, shining,
finely and closely punctured, the margins of the two basal
segments depressed ; two or three of the apical segments
have a narrow pale fringe ; the sixth segment has its mar-
gin slightly notched in the middle, the seventh is incurved, bi-
dentate. ' B.M.
This species is found in all parts of the kingdom. The co-
lour of the female varies, being sometimes deep blue, at other
times nearly black; it also varies a good deal in size. The
0. purpurascens of Smith's Catalogue has been discovered to be
a North American insect.
10. Osmia leucomelana.
O. aterrima, albido-subvillosa ; abdominis segmentis margimbus
i2
172 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
utrinque albis, ventre lana cinerascenti tecto. Corpore marif
fusco^ ano in medio fovea impresso.
Apis leucomelana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 260. 52 <j> .
Osraia leucomelana, Smith, Zool. ii. 741. 1 $ $ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 243. 5 9. ; Supp. Ap. Boreal p. 105 <? ,
Female. Length 3|-4i Hues. Black; the head as wide as the
thorax, both very closely punctured ; the flagellum rufo-piceous
beneath ; the margin of the clypeus subemarginate. Thorax :
the disk shining, a little cinereous pubescence at the sides 2
the wings fusco-hyaline, their apical margins having a fuscous
cloud ; the legs have a glittering white pubescence, that on the
tarsi beneath fulvous, the calcaria and apical joints of the tarsi
pale ferruginous. Abdomen very glossy, oblong-ovate, the two
basal segments have their margins a little depressed -, the mar-
gins of the three basal segments have on each side a narrow
fringe of white pubescence, the fourth a continuous fringe -, be-
neath clothed with cinereous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3-4 lines. Brownish -black, strongly punctured ;
the face clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, the flagellum
fulvo-piceous beneath. Thorax thinly clothed with pale fulvous
pubescence, the wings subhyaline ; the calcaria and apical joint
of the tarsi pale ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, incurved, shining
and closely punctured, the margins of the segments narrowly
fringed with pale pubescence, frequently obliterated on the two
first and interrupted on the third ; the sixth segment, on each
side, has its extreme lateral margin produced into an angular
tooth ; the seventh segment is acute at the apex, and has a large
deep triangular fossulet in the middle ; the margin of the second
segment beneath is produced into a large projecting half-circular
flattened plate, and the following segments are ciliated with
bright fulvous hairs. B.M.
This little bee was one of great rarity in collections some
years ago, when a locality was discovered for it at Hawley in
Hampshire. I observed it entering the dead branches of the
bramble, in the month of June ; in the autumn I procured some
of the sticks, and bred numbers of both sexes 5 subsequently
it has been found in plenty near Bristol. Three or four spe-
cimens have been taken at Charlton in Kent, but it is very
local.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 1 73
Genus 8. MEGACHILE.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419 (1687).
entris, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 354 (1804).
Anthidium, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 364.
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 372.
Megachile, pt., Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 51 (1805).
Trachusa, pt., Jurine, Hym. (1808).
Labial palpi four-jointed, the two basal joints elongate, of
about equal length, attenuated, the second joint having the
apex acute ; the third and fourth joints minute, clavate, placed
at the side and near the apex of the second joint ; the palpi about
the same length as the labium, which is cylindric and longitu-
dinally channeled and pubescent. The maxillary palpi two-
jointed, the basal joint very short, stout and subglobose, the se-
cond joint slender and eylindric ; the apical lobe of the maxilla?
elongate, lanceolate and curved. The superior wings have one
marginal and two submarginal cells, the second submarginal re-
ceiving the two recurrent nervures. The head is usually as wide
as the thorax ; the mandibles are very stout ; the ocelli are placed
in a triangle on the vertex ; the females have a dense pollen-
brush on the under side of the abdomen. In some species the
males have the apical joint of the antennse compressed and di-
lated, and some have dilated anterior tarsi.
The bees included in the genus Megachile are popularly
called Leaf-cutters, from the circumstance of their cutting off
pieces of the leaves of various trees, for the purpose of forming
the cells in which they store up the food for their larvae ; they
appear to prefer the Rose and Laburnum. Many very interest-
ing accounts of their habits have been written ; some of
the species select decaying trees, posts and rails, in which
to form their tunnels ; this habit I have observed in M. Wil-
lughbiella and ligniseca, which never appear to choose any other
material: I have seen M. maritima burrowing in decaying
wood, but in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight, where the species
is abundant, it burrows in the cliffs : M. centuncularis at one
time chooses an old post or decaying tree, at another the soft
mortar of an old wall, and sometimes burrows in the ground ;
J have bred this insect from cells obtained from each of the above
174 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
situations. M. circumcincta sometimes forms large colonies,
and, as far as I have observed, always burrows in banks. I
found the rare species, M. argentata, constructing its nests in
sandy banks on the coast below Southend. The Poppy Bee,
Anthocopa papaveris, is closely allied to this genus, and may
indeed be placed before it, as a connecting link with the Osmice.
This interesting insect, I'Abeille Tapissiereof Reaumur, has been
supposed to inhabit this country, specimens having been placed
in the Collection at the British Museum ; but it was with much
regret that I discovered, when engaged upon the Catalogue of
British Bees for the Museum, and had occasion to examine
each individual specimen with care, in the first place that there
was no satisfactory evidence of their locality ; and in the next,
that the males associated with the series were those of Osmia
adunca of Panzer ; for these reasons the genus is omitted in this
work.
This is probably the most universally distributed genus of bees;
it is found in all parts of the world, and, like all the industrial
sections, has its parasites; these are the various species of Cali-
oxys. Mr. Waterhouse bred C. 4-dentata from the cells of M.
circumcincta. I have reared C. rufescens from the cells of
Saropoda bimaculata, and have also obtained C. conica from
the nest of M . Willughbiella ; C. Vectis is parasitic on M. mari-
tima : both the latter species abound in Sandown Bay during the
months of July and August.
The males of this genus present broad distinctive specific dif-
ferences, whilst those of the females are difficult to detect ; and
it will be necessary to bear in mind that the descriptions are
from specimens in the finest condition, the colour of the pubes-
cence soon fading from exposure.
Div. I. Anterior tarsi of the males not dilated.
1. Megachile centuncularis.
M . cinerascenti-pubescens ; abdomine famine subcordato, seg-
mentorum marginibus albidis; abdomine maris subgloboso;
coxis anterioribus inermibus.
Apis centuncularis, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 420. 1687 ; Syst. Nat. i.
953. 4$.
Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 300. 799.
Fair. Syst. Ent. p. 385. 42 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 337. 98.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. /
Apis centuncularis, Schrank, Ins. Aust. p. 404. 815.
Schdff. Icon. t. 262. f. 6, 7.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. no. 927.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 237. 42.
Megachile centuncularis, Latr. Hist. Nat. Crast. et Ins. iii. 383;
Hist. Nat.niv. 56. 10.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 142. 10.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 337. 12. t. 21. f . 3 ? .
, Guerin, Icon. Reg. Anim. 449. t. 73. f. 7.
Smith, Zool. ii. 695. 7.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 258. 4.
Anthophora centuncularis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 378. 25 $ , nee $ .
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 465. 3.
Reaum. Ins. vi. Mem. iv. t. 10. f. 2, 3, 4.
Frisch. Ins, pt. xi. t. 2. f. 1-4.
". Ins. Par. ii. 410. 5.
Female. Length 3-6 lines. Black ; the face has a pale ful-
vous pubescence, that on the vertex fuscous and sparing ; the
mandibles quadridentate, the two apical ones acute ; the head
and thorax closely and strongly punctured. Thorax : the disk
nearly naked, having a few scattered fuscous hairs, on the sides
and metathorax it is more dense and pale fulvous ; the legs
have a thin short cinereous pubescence, the tarsi fulvous be-
neath ; the calcaria and claws rufo-testaceous ; the wings sub -
hyaline, faintly clouded towards their apical margins. Abdo-
men cordate, having a scattered pale pubescence at the base,
the margins of the segments depressed ; the segments have a
narrow fringe of pale pubescence on their apical margins, that
on the fifth entire ; beneath densely covered with bright golden-
fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3^-4^ lines. The head a little wider than the
thorax, the face clothed with bright pale fulvous pubescence,
nearly white on the clypeus ; antennae filiform ; mandibles bi-
dentate, the apical tooth acute ; the thorax above and the wings
as in the other sex, the anterior coxae not toothed ; the claws
ferruginous, their tips fuscous. Abdomen subelongate, the
apex obtuse ; the margin of the apical segment entire, obsoletely
subserrate ; the seventh segment concealed. B.M.
This is perhaps the most widely distributed bee in the whole
family of Apidce ; it is not only found in all parts of the United
Kingdom, but is spread all over the continent of Europe, even to
the north of Lapland ; it is also found in Canada and at Hud-
son's Bay. The only British species which has similar clothing in
the female is M. maritima, but if the colour of the pollen-brush
be examined, they cannot easily be confounded ; M. centuncu-
176 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
laris has no mixture of black hairs at the apex. The size of the
male will separate it from its nearest ally, M. ligniseca, indepen-
dent of other differences.
2. Megachile ligniseca.
M. pallide pubescens ; abdomine fwmina wamque oblongo ;
coxis anterioribus inermibus.
Apis centuncularis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 12.
Don. Brit. Ins. iv. t. 120.
Apis ligniseca, Kirby, Mon. Ap. AngL ii. 243. 44. t. 16. f. 11 $ .
Megachile ligniseca, Smith, Zool. ii. 694. 4.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. Supp. p. 102 $ .
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black : the face has a little pale
pubescence on each side of the clypeus, and fulvous at the
insertion of the antennae, on the vertex it is fuscous ; on the
cheeks, legs, thorax beneath, on the two basal segments of the
abdomen, and on the metathorax it is cinereous ; on the disk
of the thorax it is pale fulvous ; the mandibles quadridentate,
the two apical teeth subacute, the inner one obtuse ; the wings
subhy aline, faintly clouded at their apical margins ; the tarsi
fulvous beneath, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen oblong-
ovate, the margins of the segments deeply depressed ; beneath
densely clothed with fulvous pubescence, dark brown at the
apex. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The face clothed with bright pale
yellow pubescence, at the insertion of the antennae it is obscure,
on the vertex black; the antennae filiform, half the length
of the thorax, which has a yellowish-brown pubescence on the
disk, on the sides and beneath it is cinereous ; the wings and
legs as in the other sex ; the anterior coxae unarmed ; the ab-
domen oblong-ovate, the two basal segments have a thin pale
pubescence, the margins depressed ; the intermediate ones have
on each side a short pale fringe ; the apex inflexed, the margin
of the sixth segment emarginate, the seventh entire. B.M.
This is the largest species of the genus found in this country ;
it is rather more local than M. WillugJibiella, but in some situa-
tions it is tolerably abundant ; it occurs in many places near Lon-
don ; it has been taken at Highgate and Hampstead on thistle
heads in autumn : it is very plentiful about Battersea, and also
at Erith in Kent ; it has not occurred in the north of England,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 177
3. Megachile versicolor.
M. cinerascenti-pubescens, abdomine subcordato, segmentorum
marginibus albidis ; ventre lana versicolori dense vestito.
Megachile versicolor, Smith, ZooL ii. 697. 9 ? .
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; on each side of the face a
little bright pale yellow pubescence ; the mandibles very large,
produced, the teeth of one fitting into the interstices between
those of the opposite mandible ; on the cheeks, thorax, and
legs the pubescence is cinereous, intermixed with fuscous on the
disk of the thorax ; wings subhyaline, the nervures black ; the
tarsi fulvous beneath, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen sub-
cordate, the intermediate segments have laterally a white mar-
ginal fringe, the margins of the four basal segments depressed ;
beneath, the second, third and fourth segments are densely
clothed with bright fulvous pubescence, that on the fifth and
sixth is black. B.M.
This species very closely resembles M. centuncularis, the
colour of the pollen-brush being the principal distinctive dif-
ference, but it is certainly more than a variety : one specimen
occurred at Byfleet near Weybridge : the male will probably be
found to be very different from that of M. centuncularis. Mr.
Walcott has a specimen taken near Bristol.
4. Megachile pyrina.
M. pallide pubescens, thoracis dorso fusco ; abdominis segmentis
marginibus fulvis. Abdomine marls incurvo, ano emarginato ;
tarsis runs.
Megachile pyrina, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 334. 8 $ $ .
Megachile rufitarsis, Smith, Zool. ii. 695. 2 J .
Megachile fasciata, Smith, Zool. ii. 694. 5 $ .
Female. Length 5-6 lines. Black ; the face on each side has
some rich yellow pubescence, that on the vertex is black. Tho-
rax : the pubescence on the disk short, sparing and black, that
on the sides and beneath pale fulvous, the metathorax has a
short pale pubescence ; the apical joints of the tarsi are ferru-
ginous; the wings subhyaline, their apical margins clouded.
Abdomen : the two basal segments thinly clothed with pale ful-
vous pubescence, on the following segments it is short and fus
i 5
178 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
cous, all the segments have a fascia of short fulvous pubes-
cence ; beneath, entirely and densely clothed with a golden-
yellow pubescence.
Male. Length 5 lines. The face clothed with bright pale
yellow pubescence, the antennae filiform, the cheeks densely
bearded with cinereous pubescence. Thorax : the pubescence
on the disk pale ochraceous, on the sides and beneath it is long,
dense and cinereous ; the tarsi bright ferruginous ; the anterior
coxae have a short acute spine. Abdomen : the base and sides
have a long pale pubescence, on the third and following seg-
ments it is short and fuscous, the apex incurved, the margin of
the sixth segment emargiuate in the middle and denticulate at
the sides, the seventh has a short acute spine in the middle.
Since this species was described in the 'Zoologist,' a fine
series of examples have been obtained from France ; it is the
M. pyrina of St. Fargeau ; the sexes were captured at different
times at Weybridge, but a resemblance of habit was observed in
them, and the probability of their being the same species was
suggested; such proves to be the case. The species is very
common near Paris.
5. Megachile odontura.
M. pallide villosa ; abdominis apice denticulato, ano cornuto.
Megachile odontura, Smith, Zool. vii. App. 58.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black, punctured ; the face densely
clothed with a rich fulvous pubescence. Thorax clothed with
fulvous pubescence, most densely so at the sides ; the wings
hyaline, faintly clouded at their apical margins, the nervures
ferruginous ; the femora fringed with long pale pubescence ; the
anterior tarsi ferruginous, the apex of the basal joint and the
second and third palest, the tips of the claws black. Abdomen
elongate, obtuse at the apex, the two basal segments thinly
clothed with pale fulvous pubescence ; the apical margins of
the segments have a narrow fascia of pale fulvous pubescence,
the bands slightly attenuated in the middle ; the margin of the
sixth segment denticulate, the seventh produced into a sharp
conical spine. B.M.
The unique example of this species is in the collection of the
British Museum; the specimen is ticketed No. 262, and on
reference to Dr. Leach's manuscript catalogue the following
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 1?9
entry appears : " June : found settling on a foot-path near our
house/' at Spitchwick, Devonshire. Without hesitation this in-
sect is therefore included as a British species.
6. Megachile argentata.
M. cinereo-villosa, subtus argenteo-villosula, abdominis seg-
mentis marginibus albido fasciatis.
Apis argentata, Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 336. 96 $ .
Anthophora argentata, Fair. Syst. Piez. p. 377. 22.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 99. 16.
Apis Leachella, (Kirby's MSS.} Steph. Syst. Cat. p. 374. 5061.
Megachile argentata, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 343. 1 7.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 140. 9.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 196. 123.
Megachile albiventris, Smith, Zool ii. 696. 8.
Megachile Leachella, Curtis, Brit. .Ent. iv. p. 219.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 276. 7.
Female. Length 3^~4| lines. Black : head as wide as the tho-
rax, the face densely clothed at the sides with pale yellow pu-
bescence ; the vertex and disk of the thorax have a short thin
fuscous pubescence, on the sides and beneath it is cinereous,
that on the legs is of the same colour ; the wings subhyaline,
their nervures black. Abdomen cordate, the apical margins of
the segments have a narrow fascia of short white pubescence,
the sixth segment has two spots of white pubescence ; beneath
densely clothed with silvery-white pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Head wider than the thorax, the face
densely clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, the antennae fili-
form. Thorax clothed above with pale fulvous pubescence ; the
anterior coxae armed with an obtuse tooth, the femora dilated
and concave beneath at their apex ; the tarsi have glittering
silvery pubescence above, and golden-yellow beneath, the claws
ferruginous, their tips black ; wings as in the female. Abdo-
men short, obtuse at the apex, rather widest at the base, the
margins of the segments have a narrow fascia of pale pubes-
cence, the sixth segment entirely clothed with short pale pubes-
cence, its margin deeply emarginate in the middle and more
or less denticulate on each side, the margin of the seventh seg-
ment entire. B.M.
This is a very local species ; it occurs at Weybridge and at
Southend. It is a very active little insect -, its flight and hum
are exactly like that of a Saropoda ; it makes a piping sound
180 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
extremely shrill and acute ; it is only to be found in the brightest
and hottest sunshine in July and August; it frequents the
flowers of the Echium vulgare. In one respect it differs from
its congeners, its labium being nearly twice as long as the palpi.
Mr. S. Stevens took this little bee at Little Hampton, Sussex.
When first disclosed the pubescence of the male is golden-ful-
vous, but it soon fades from exposure.
Div. II. Anterior tarsi of the males dilated.
7. Megachile circumcincta.
M. pallide flavo-villosa ; capite anoque atris; antennis marts
articulo ultimo subdilatato ; tarsis anterioribus dilatato-cili-
atis.
Apis circumcincta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 246. 45. t. 16. f. 10 ^ .
Megachile circumcincta, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 335. 9.
Smith, Zool ii. 693. 3 $ ? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 103 $ .
Female. Length 5 lines. Black ; the face clothed with dark
brown pubescence, which is longest at the sides. The thorax
and two basal segments of the abdomen clothed with pale fulvo-
ochraceous pubescence, on the disk of the former it is more or
less fuscous ; the pubescence on the legs is pale above, that on
the tarsi beneath bright fulvous ; the wings hyaline, faintly
clouded at their apical margins ; the third and following seg-
ments of the abdomen have a black pubescence ; beneath, the
pubescence is bright fulvous at the base, that on the two apical
segments being black. B.M.
Var. /3. Only the basal segment of the abdomen having pale
pubescence.
Var. y. The three basal segments having pale pubescence.
Male. Length 4|-5 lines. The face clothed with pale fulvous
and the vertex with dark brown pubescence ; the thorax has a
reddish-brown pubescence above, that on the sides and beneath
is cinereous ; the anterior femora densely fringed with griseous
pubescence, intermixed with pale fulvous, the coxae armed with
an obtuse tooth, the tarsi nearly white, dilated, and fringed with
pale pubescence, the first joint elongate and broadest at its
apex, the second small and somewhat heart-shaped, the two
following minute ; the claws ferruginous, their tips black ;
the intermediate and posterior legs have a long cinereous pubes-
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 181
cenee. Abdomen short, blunt at the apex, thinly clothed with
long pale pubescence, intermixed with fuscous towards the
apex ; the apical margin of the sixth segment emarginate, and
its inflexed margin having an angular tooth on each side ; the
seventh segment has a single central obtuse tooth. B.M.
This species is local, and is not often met with near London ;
its colonies are formed in sunny banks : it is plentiful in Hamp-
shire and in many parts of Surrey. It has not been received
from the north of England.
8. Megachile Willughbiella.
M. fulvescenti-pubescens ; abdomine brevi, ano nigro ; antennis
maris articulo ultimo compresso, dilatato ; tarsis anterioribus
dilatato-ciliatis.
Apis Willughbiella, Kirby, Mon. dp. Angl, ii. 233. 41.
Megachile Willughbiella, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 57. 11.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. iv. t. 218.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 333. 5.
Smith, Zool. ii. 691. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 256. 2 $ , not the ? .
Megachile fulviventris, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 465. 2.
The Willow Bee, Ray's Letters, p. 72, 74.
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black : head as wide as the thorax,
the face clothed with dark fulvous pubescence, the vertex with
black, and the cheeks with pale ochraceous ; the mandibles
stout, prominent and quadridentate, the two apical teeth acute,
the inner pair obtuse. Thorax shining ; above, clothed with a
rufo-fulvous pubescence, at the sides and beneath it is paler ;
the wings subhyaline, the apical margins faintly clouded, the
nervures and tegulse black ; the legs have a short fulvous
pubescence, that on the tarsi beneath ferruginous, the calcaria
and claws ferruginous, the latter black at their tips. Abdomen
subcordate ; the three basal segments have a pale fulvous pubes-
cence, that on the apical segments is much shorter, and black ;
the fourth and fifth segments have a narrow fringe of white
pubescence; the pollen-brush on the abdomen beneath is black
at the sides and at the apex, and fulvous in the middle. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The face has a pale fulvous pubes-
cence, that on the clypeus very bright and glittering ; the an-
tennae half the length of the thorax, the apical joint compressed,
182 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
wider than the other joints. Thorax : the pubescence fulvous
above, griseous beneath ; the anterior legs have a stout acute
spine on the coxae, the femora are dilated, and of a pale testa-
ceous-yellow, having two longitudinal ferruginous stripes be-
neath ; the tibiae beneath, and the tarsi are pale testaceous ; the
tibiae have a bent spine at their apex in front ; the basal joint of
the tarsi as broad as the tibiae, the three following joints trans-
verse, gradually narrowing to the apical joint, the tarsi densely
fringed with a pale glittering curled pubescence, which has a
ferruginous stain beneath ; the claws pale ferruginous, their
tips black ; the intermediate and posterior legs have a loose
cinereous pubescence, the posterior tibiae slightly bent, the
claws ferruginous, the tips black. Abdomen subquadrate, the
pubescence loosely scattered and pale fulvous; the apex in-
flexed, emarginate, the seventh segment armed with three short
angular teeth. B.M.
This is the most abundant species of the genus found in En-
gland, and appears to be generally distributed. It occurs in all
parts of the country. The popular name of the Willow Bee is
certainly very appropriate. Some years ago, when decaying
willows were numerous in the Battersea Fields, the old stumps .
were perforated with innumerable burrows formed by this species.
Mr. Kirby also quotes a passage from a note by Sir John Hill,
in his translation of Swammerdam, where he says he has seen
thousands of the nests of this bee in Lincolnshire, in the old
willow-trees.
9. Megachile maritima.
M. pallide pubescens ; thoracis disco fusco-ferrugineo ; mandi-
bulis magnis, prominentibus ; abdomine oblongo-cordato ;
segmentorum marginibus albicantibus. Mas, pedibus anticis
dilatato-ciliatis, tibiis posticis clavatis, ano emarginato.
Apis maritima, Kirby, Mon* Ap. Angl. ii. 242. 43 ? .
Apis lagopoda, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 7, nee Linn.
Anthophora lagopoda, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 374. 9.
Megachile maritima, Smith, Zool. ii. 692. 2 ^ ? .
Female. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the face densely clothed
with bright golden-fulvous pubescence, above the insertion
of the antennae it is fuscous, as is also that which fringes
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 183
the margin of the vertex ; the mandibles very stout and pro-
minent, quadridentate, the two apical teeth rounded, the inner
teeth obtuse. Thorax : the pubescence on the disk fusco-fer-
ruginous, at the sides it is pale fulvous ; the wings subhyaline,
their apical margins faintly clouded, the nervures and tegulae
rufo-piceous ; the legs have a short glittering pale pubescence,
the tarsi beneath golden-fulvous ; the calcaria and claws ferru-
ginous, the latter black at their tips. Abdomen oblong-ovate,
the base having a long pale fulvous pubescence, towards the
apex the segments have a short black pubescence, the apical
margins of the segments have a narrow pale marginal fringe,
usually more or less interrupted on the basal segments ; be-
neath densely clothed with bright fulvous pubescence, at the
extreme apex it is fuscous. B.M.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. The face clothed with bright golden-
yellow pubescence ; the antennae having the apical joint com-
pressed and dilated ; the inferior margin of the mandibles rufo-
testaceous. Thorax : the disk clothed with fulvo-ochraceous
pubescence, that on the sides and beneath much paler ; the
anterior coxae armed with an obtuse tooth, which has a minute
acute spine or point at its apex ; the coxae and trochanters have
a long dense fringe of very pale yellow pubescence ; the femora
and tibiae pale in front, the former having a longitudinal stripe
in the middle and also the margins, rufo-piceous; the mar-
gins of the tibiae rufo-piceous ; the tibiae are black above to-
wards the base, and pale at the apex ; the tarsi broadly dilated,
the basal joint broader than the tibiae, produced and rounded
at its apex in front ; the second, third and fourth joints trans-
verse, gradually narrowing to the width of the apical or claw-
joint, the whole having a dense pale yellow fringe behind, the
margin of which has a ferruginous stain ; the posterior tibiae
incrassate, bent inwards ; the tarsi also bent, the joints short and
stout, the basal one dilated. Abdomen oblong-quadrate, ha-
ving a pale fulvous pubescence ; the sixth segment has a deep
depression in the centre, its apical margin emarginate in the
middle, the sides crenulated ; the margin of the seventh seg-
ment has a minute tooth on each side. B.M.
At the time when I first described this species in the ( Zoologist 5
in 1844, 1 had not seen a specimen of the true M. lagopoda, and
was led to believe that it was synonymous with the present spe-
cies ; it appeared possible that Mr. Kirby might have viewed
the specimen from above, and thus overlooking the dilatation of
the apical joint of the antennae, had in mistake described M. la-
184 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
gopoda as having filiform antennae; such however is not the
case. Dr. Nylander has forwarded specimens of the true lago-
poda, which are quite distinct from M. maritima.
This species is very local ; it has been once taken at Hamp-
stead, but the back of the Isle of Wight is its metropolis ;
during the month of July it abounds in Sandown Bay, in com-
pany with its parasite, Ccelioxys Vectis : numbers of the females
were observed cutting off portions of the leaves of a species of
Salix.
Genus 9. ANTHIDIUM.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i.953 (1766).
Megachile, pt., Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 51 (1805).
Anthidium, Fdbr. Syst. Piez. p. 364 (1804).
Trachusa, pt., Jurine, 252 (1809).
The body usually adorned with yellow spots or stripes. Head
nearly as wide as the thorax ; the ocelli placed in a triangle for-
ward on the vertex ; the antennae filiform, the basal joint of the
flagellum obconical. The mentum linear, elongate and pointed
at its apex ; the labium elongate, blunt at its apex and chan-
neled down the middle, one-third longer than the palpi ; the
latter four-jointed, the first and second joints elongate, gradually
narrowed from the base to the apex ; the two apical joints mi-
nute, placed at the side and near the apex of the second joint.
The maxillary palpi consisting of one joint, placed on a cup-
shaped basal tubercle (or joint?) ; the apical lobe of the maxilla?
sickle-shaped. The superior wings having one marginal and two
submarginal cells, the second submarginal cell receiving the first
recurrent nervure a little within at the base, the second recur-
rent nervure uniting with the second transverse nervure. Ab-
domen incurved, furnished with a dense pollen-brush beneath in
the females ; the males having the apex armed with spines.
Although the species belonging to this genus are numerous,
and are found both in the Old and New World, there is only
one found in this country, Anthidium manicatum ; this is truly
a summer bee, not making its appearance before the latter
part of June or beginning of July. This insect, as far as
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 185
my own observation has enabled me to ascertain, does not con-
struct its own burrow, but makes use of any hole which is
adapted for its purpose. I once detected a bee entering the hole
above the wheel of the sash-line in a summer-house ; but its
nests are most commonly formed in the holes bored in old willow
stumps by Cossus ligniperda : formerly they were easily obtained
in Battersea Fields, where old willows abounded. It is probable
that, when the parent insect has selected one of these ready-
formed tunnels, she enlarges the end used as the depository of
the nest, and this is easily effected, as the stumps in question, at
the depth of a couple of inches, consist of soft decayed wood ;
the chamber being formed, the bee collects a quantity of down
from woolly-stemmed plants, with which she forms an outer
coating ; she then constructs a number of cells for the reception
of the pollen or food of the larva ; they consist of a woolly ma-
terial, mixed with some glutinous matter which resists the moist-
ure of the food it contains, and in which the larva on being full-
fed spins a brown silken cocoon : these bees pass the winter in
the larva state, and do not appear until midsummer. In one
respect the sexes of this genus differ from most other bees, the
males being much larger than the females : they copulate while
flying in this genus as well as in Anthophora.
1. Anthidium manicatum.
A. albido-villosum ; abdomine maculis flavis lateralibus; ano
maris inflexo, quinquedentato.
Apis manicata, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1701 ; Syst. Nat. i. 958. 28 <J ,
Fabr. Syst. Ent. 384. 35 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 330. 73.
Schaff. Icon. Ins.t. 32. f. 11, 12.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 103. 914.
Christ. Hym. p. 133. t. 9. f. 5.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 248. 47. t. 16. f. 12 ? , 13 $ .
Don. Brit. Ins. xiv. p. 57. t. 489.
Anthidium manicatum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 364. 1.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. iv. t. 61.
Latr. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. xiii. 212. 5.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 355. 4.
Smith, Zool. iv. 1452. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 265. 22.
Apis maculata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 332. 77, var. $ ; Syst. Piez.
365 (var. /3. A. manicatum, fcemina).
Panz. Faun. Germ. 7. 14,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Black; the clypeus and face
on each side yellow, the clypeus has a broad longitudinal
stripe, and the base black ; its anterior margin is minutely den-
ticulate ; the mandibles and a lunate spot on the vertex behind
the eyes yellow, the former black at their apex ; the face has a
thin short flavo-griseous pubescence. Thorax : the disk has
a sparing fusco-fermginous pubescence, that on the sides and
beneath griseous ; the wings fusco-hyaline, the nervures and
tegulse black, a minute yellow spot on the latter in front ; the
tibiae have a yellow line above, sometimes interrupted in the
middle ; the tarsi densely covered with a short yellowish-white
pubescence above, with golden-yellow beneath. Abdomen :
each segment has at its lateral margins an ovate yellow macula,
those on the fourth and fifth are frequently elongated and
transverse, these stripes sometimes interrupted, forming two
spots on each side ; the apical segment has the two spots be-
neath, the pubescence is dense, pale and glittering. B.M.
Male. Length 5-8 lines. Black ; the clypeus, the face on each
side, the mandibles, and a spot on the vertex above the eyes,
yellow ; the clypeus has a trident-shaped black macula at its
base, and the mandibles have their tips black ; the face and
cheeks have a cinereous pubescence, that on the vertex and on
the disk of the thorax is fulvo-ochraceous ; the tegulse in front
and behind, and the tubercles behind, yellow ; the wings as in
the other sex ; the anterior and intermediate tibiae are yellow
at their apex ; the thorax at the sides and beneath, and the fe-
mora, have a cinereous pubescence ; the tarsi are densely co-
vered and fringed behind with silvery-white pubescence ; the
basal joint of the two anterior pairs yellow ; sometimes the
posterior tibiae have a yellow spot at their base, and occa-
sionally at their apex also ; their pubescence silvery, having a
golden tinge above. Abdomen variable in its markings, having
a lateral ovate spot on the four basal segments, a minute one
on the fifth, and two central transverse marks on the fifth and
sixth ; the sixth having on each side a stout bent acute tooth,
the seventh an obtuse one on each side, and a minute slender
one in the middle ; the base has a thin cinereous pubescence,
and at its extreme lateral margins a tuft of silvery pubescence ;
the following segments have a pale fulvous fringe. B.M.
/3. The seventh segment has sometimes two large transverse spots,
those on the sixth being obsolete.
y. The apical transverse spot obsolete.
The variations in the markings to which this insect is subject
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 18?
are very numerous. Latreille in his Monograph on the genus*
has enumerated nine or ten varieties; these include the A. ma-
culata of Panzer, which is very rare in this country; this
variety has on each segment a transverse yellow band, inter-
rupted in the middle; only two instances are known of its
having been taken in England ; one specimen is in the collec-
tion of Mr. Desvignes ; it was captured in Scotland ; and the
other , is in the cabinet of Mr. Brown of Burton on Trent.
It is very singular that the variety which is rare in England
should be the most abundant one in France, our form being there
very rare. This insect is very abundant in the London district,
but it appears to be scarce in the north.
This is the wild bee which White in his ' History of Selborne '
has so well described in the following words : " There is a sort
of wild bee frequenting the garden-campion for the sake of its
tomentum, which probably it turns to some purpose in the busi-
ness of nidification. It is very pleasant to see with what address
it strips off the pubes, running from the top to the bottom of a
branch, and shaving it bare with the dexterity of a hoop-shaver.
When it has got a vast bundle, almost as large as itself, it flies
away, holding it secure between its chin and its fore legs."
Genus 10. CHELOSTOMA.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. 419 (1761).
Hylaens, pt., Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 303 (1793).
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 372 (1804).
Megachile, pt., Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 51 (1805).
Chelostoma, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 161 (1809).
Heriades, pt., Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 467 (1840).
Head quadrate, usually wider than the thorax ; the antennas
not longer than the head in the female, the flagellum clavate ;
half as long as the thorax, slender and filiform in the male.
The labrum elongate, narrowed anteriorly, and truncate at
the apex ; the mandibles bidentate at their apex and densely
ciliated with hairs on their inner margin ; the ocelli placed in a
triangle, the posterior pair in a line with the vertex of the eyes.
The labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint about one- third the
length of the second, the second joint somewhat attenuated at
the apex, the third placed in a line with it, short, the fourth
* Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. xiii. p. 212, 5.
188 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
joint elavate-truncate, attached to its side near the apex. The
maxillary palpi three-jointed. The anterior wings have one
marginal and two submarginal cells ; the second submarginal
receiving the two recurrent nervures. Abdomen sublinear,
slightly narrowed towards the base ; furnished in the female with
a dense scopa of pubescence. In the male, the abdomen is
incurved and dentate at the apex.
This genus is very closely related to Heriades, and on a care-
ful examination of the parts of the mouth it will be found
that the A. campanularum belongs to the genus Chelostoma - 9
the maxillary palpi are three-jointed in both genera ; but the
labial palpi are differently formed, although consisting of the
same number of joints, as will be seen on a reference to the
figures ; the wings are the same in both genera.
The species of the genus Chelostoma form their burrows in
decaying posts, rails, &c. ; but when they chance to meet with
ready-formed tubes, like other bees, as we have shown, they
have the sagacity to avail themselves of such conveniences.
Some years ago I found a colony of these bees in the straw
tubes of a thatched barn ; and similar examples are to be seen
amongst the collection of nests of hymenopterous insects in the
British Museum. In the observations on the genus Osmia is
given an account of the operations of these bees, and it is
only necessary to add some notice of the parasites and enemies
by which their broods are attacked. Mr. Marsham* gives an
account of the proceedings of Pimpla manifestator introducing
its eggs into the nests of these bees, but it is scarcely proved that
the larva of Chelostoma was the object of attack : when we take
into consideration the size of the parasitic larva and that of the
bee, we are inclined to suspect that the Pimpla' 's attack was upon
some other insect. Where colonies of this bee are met with in
posts and rails, there are usually also two Coleopterous insects,
Melandrya caraboides and Clytus arietis, depositing their eggs ;
they may be frequently observed thrusting their ovipositors, or
elongated apical segment of the abdomen, into the burrows of
the bees ; this is probably merely for the purpose of introducing
them into the wood in a suitable situation, the larva of both
beetles feeding on the wood : it is possible that Pimpla attacks
the larva of one of these insects, and not that of Chelostoma.
The only Ichneumon which I know from observation to be a
parasite on Chelostoma is Fcenus assectator : this insect has more
* Trans. Linn. Soc. iii. 26,
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 189
than once been bred from its nests. The parasite enters the
burrows; it does not introduce its ovipositor, or its abdomen,
but enters and disappears in search of its victim. Chrysis ignita
and C. cyanea have been reared from the nests of this bee.
Mr. Kirby mentions, in connexion with his description of the
bee, Ichneumon femorator, which his friend Mr. Trimmer found
in the nest of Chelostoma ; and he also observes, that Bergman
records the fact of Ichneumon (Fanus) jaculator being parasitic
upon these bees ; it may be frequently observed about the bur-
rows of Chelostoma.
1. Chelostoma florisomne.
C. atrum, glabriusculum ; mandibulis prominentibus,*intus bar-
batis, abdominis segmentis marginibus albis. Mas, cinereo-vil-
losus ; abdomine incurvo, ventre basi cornuto, ano bidentato.
Apis florisomnis, Linn. Faun. Suec.p. 413 (1704) ; Syst. Nat. i. 954.
13, fy Cab. Mus. Linn. Sac. <J .
Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 299. 796. f. 796.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 387. 55.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 253. 49.
Apis maxillosa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 954. 11 ? , 8f Calf. Mus. Linn.
Soc.
Fabr. Mant. i. 305. 86.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 251. 48.
Hylaeus florisomnis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 304. 5 ; Syst. Piez,
p. 319. 3.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 46. 13.
Hyteus maxillosus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 303. 4 ? .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 17.
Anthophora truncorum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 379. 29, var. $ .
Megachile maxillosa, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 51. 1 $ $ .
Megachile florisonmis, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 134. 1.
Cheiostoma maxillosa, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 162.
Brulle', Eccped. Sc. de More'e, iii. 342. 757.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 407. 1.
Chelostoma florisomnis, Curtis, Brit. Ent. xiv. t. 628 < .
Smith, Zool. iv. 1445. 1.
Heriades maxillosa, Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 467. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal p. 268. 1 ; Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 277. 2.
female. Length 3 5 lines. Black, shiningand punctured; the
face having a little white pubescence on each side, the anterior
margin of the clypeus produced, forming a flattened projecting
plate or tubercle ; the thorax has a few pale scattered hairs
at the sides; the legs have a short silvery-white pubescence,
190 BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN.
that on the tarsi beneath fulvous ; wings subhyaline, thek
apical margins having a narrow fuscous cloud, darkest at the
tips of the anterior pair. Abdomen cylindric, the apical
margins of the segments have a narrow fascia of short snow-
white pubescence ; beneath, densely clothed with glittering
pale yellowish-white pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 4-5 lines. Black ; the face densely clothed with
fulvo-ochraceous pubescence, the mandibles bidentate and
fringed beneath with long pale ochraceous hairs, the cheeks
forming an obtuse tooth or prominence at the base of the man-
dibles; the flagellum lias its intermediate joints produced or
subdentate beneath. Thorax thinly clothed with pale ochra-
ceous pubescence ; wings as in the other sex. Abdomen thinly
covered with pale ochraceous pubescence, the margins of the
intermediate segments fringed with similar hair ; the abdomen
is elongate, linear, and bidentate at the apex, very much in-
curved ; beneath, the second segment produced into the shape
of a horse-shoe, concave within ; the fourth segment is deeply
concave, the margin ciliated with bright yellow pubescence, the
apical segment has a bifid tubercle beneath. B.M.
This insect is found in all parts of the country, in fact through-
out Europe. It is very probable that a species described by
Nylander, C. nigricornis, will be discovered in this country ; it
closely resembles the present species, but the female wants the
tubercle on the clypeus, and the apex of the abdomen of the
male is slightly rounded, and subdentate laterally; it is com-
mon in France. Chelostoma usually appears about the end of
May ; the males may frequently be found enclosed in the petals
of flowers, in which they pass the night.
2. Chelostoma Campanularum,
C. atrum, glabriusculum ; ano maris inflexo, acute bidentato,
ventris basi gibba.
Apis Campanularum, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 256. 50. t. 16.
f. 14, 15 c?.
Megachile Campanularum, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 52. 2.
Heriades Campanularum, Spin* Ins. Lig. fasc. ii. 198. 1.
St. Farg. Hym. 405. 2.
Smith, Zool. iv. 1448. 2.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 273. 6.
Apis florisomnis minima, Christ, Hym. 197. 1. 17. f. 18.
Female. Length 2-2| lines. Black, shining, closely and finely
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 191
punctured ; the mandibles bidentate, ferruginous at their apex.
Thorax having a little hoary pubescence at the sides ; the
wings subhyaline and iridescent ; the legs have a slight scat-
tered hoary pubescence, the tarsi beneath fulvous, the claws
ferruginous ; the calcaria pale testaceous. Abdomen cylin-
dric, obtuse at the apex, densely clothed beneath with pale
yellow pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 2-2i lines. Closely resembling the female, but
the flagellum is filiform and longer than the head; the face
has a white pubescence ; the abdomen is incurved at the apex
and bidentate ; beneath, the second segment has an elevated
tubercle, and the fifth is concave and clothed with pale pubes-
cence. B.M.
This species is rather local, but very abundant in many situa-
tions ; it frequents the Hare-bell (Campanula rotundi folia), and
may be captured in the flowers sometimes in plenty.
Genus 11, HERIADES.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419 (1761).
Hylaeus, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 302 (1793).
Anthophora, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. 372 (1804).
Heriades, pt., Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. ii. 8 (1808).
Chelostoma, pt., Latr. Gen. Crust. Ins. iv. 161 (1809).
The labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint not quite half the
length of the second, the third and fourth joints minute, placed
at the side and near the apex of the second joint. The maxil-
lary palpi three-jointed, the two basal joints stout, the apical joint
cylindric, slender and pointed at the apex. The wings as in the
genus Chelostoma
This genus only differs from Chelostoma in having two minute
apical joints to the labial palpi, which are placed near the apex
of the second joint at its side. Chelostoma has only one mi-
nute apical joint, the third being attached to the apex of the
second, and in a line with it ; in other respects they coincide.
Latreille says the maxillary palpi are two-jointed, and Mr.
Curtis has figured them so ; but this is a mistake, they are di-
stinctly three-jointed. Mr. Curtis has also figured the labial palpi
three-jointed, but they are really four-jointed; probably the
192 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
apical joint was broken off in his specimen, and the species
being rare, he had not the means of comparison with others.
1, Heriades truncorum.
H. atra ; abdominis basi transverse carinata, segmentorum mar-
ginibus albidis ; ano maris inflexo, inermi.
Apis truncorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1692 ; Syst. Nat. i. 955. 15,
fy Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc. ? .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 258. 51 <? ? .
Hylseus truncorum, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 305. 9.
Megachile truncorum, Latr. Hist. Nat. iv. 52. 3.
Heriades truncorum, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. ii. p. 9.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. xi. t. 504.
St. Farff. Hym. ii. 404. 2.
Zett. Ins. Lapp, p- 467. 1.
Smith, Zool.iv. 1447. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 271. 4, fy Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 278.
Female. Length 3 lines. Black, closely and strongly punc-
tured ; the head subquadrate, as wide as the thorax ; the face
has on each side a little white pubescence ; the clypeus rounded
in front, its margin subserrate ; the posterior inner margin of
the cheeks bidentate. Thorax: the wings slightly fuscous,
the calcaria and the claws ferruginous, the tarsi fulvous be-
neath ; the apical margins of the segments of the abdomen
have a narrow snow-white fascia ; beneath densely clothed with
yellow pubescence. B.M.
Male. Length 3 lines. Closely resembling the female ; the
face clothed with silvery-white pubescence ; the antennae fili-
form, longer than the head ; the abdomen inflexed, the sixth
segment has its margin entire ; the seventh compressed, and
having on each side a deep transverse fovea ; the basal seg-
ments beneath fringed with white pubescence, the third densely
so, the following deeply concave. B.M.
Mr. Kirby mentions the neighbourhood of Brentford as the
locality for this species Mr. Trimmer found it there. I have
several times in the month of June searched in that locality
in vain, but doubtless others might be more fortunate ; it appears
to be plentiful near Paris, and is considered on the Continent
not at all a rare insect. Three or four specimens were detected
in Mr. Ingall's collection, of his own capturing, but he does not
remember the precise locality.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 193
Genus 12. CERATINA.
Hylseus, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 302 (1793).
Apis, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. Supp. 273 (1796).
Megilla, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. 293 (1804).
Prosopis, pt., Fabr. Syst. Piez. 293 (1804).
Ceratina, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 50 (1805).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a triangle on the vertex ;
the labrura subquadrate ; the mandibles short and stout, triden-
tate at their apex. The labial palpi four -jointed, the two basal
joints elongate, the third and fourth minute, placed at the side
and near the apex of the second joint. The maxillary palpi six-
jointed, the three basal joints of about equal length, subclavate,
the apical joints minute. The superior wings with one marginal
and three submarginal cells ; the second submarginal cell re-
ceiving the first recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle, the
third submarginal receiving the second recurrent nervure also
beyond the middle. Abdomen clavate.
All authors appear to have observed only three joints in the
labial palpi ; the number is certainly four. Latreille mistook
the number, and others have followed him in the error.
Entomologists have been divided in their opinions respecting
the habits of this genus of Bees. Spinola states, in a memoir
published in the Annales du Museum d'Hist. Nat. 1807, on the
economy of Ceratina, that they excavate the pith from brambles
and briars, and supply their larva with a deposit of semi-fluid
honey : this is the correct history of their economy. Some
years ago I observed a small bee most industriously employed in
excavating a dead bramble-stick ; my attention was directed to
the circumstance from observing some of the fallen pieces of pith
on the ground immediately beneath ; occasionally fresh quantities
of dust were pushed out ; at length the little creature came out
of the stick as if to rest, and after sunning itself a few minutes,
it re-entered and again commenced its labours : later in the day,
after stopping up the entrance, I cut off the branch, and found
in it a male and female of Ceratina.
St. Fargeau was led to regard the bees of this genus as para-
sitic, from the circumstance of their being destitute of polli-
nigerous appendages; such is also the case with the genera
Prosopis and Sphecodes ; these also were regarded by that author
as parasites. Observation alone can be relied upon when the
1.94 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
history of an insect is to be written ; all classification based
upon structural differences alone will frequently be at fault.
Time and united observation will one day complete the history
of the Hymenoptera.
1. Ceratina caerulea.
C. cseruleo-virens, glabriuscula, cylindrica ; abdomine clavato.
Mas, ore albo.
Apis caerulea, Fill. Ent. Europ. iii. 88. t. 8.f. 25 .
Apis cucurbitina, Rossi, Mant. i. 145. 325.
Apis callosa, Fair. Ent. Syst. Supp. v. 277. 122-3.
Apis cyanea, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 308. 71. t. 17. f. 7 ? , 8 <J .
Megilla callosa, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 328. 31.
Ceratina callosa, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 160.
Ceratina nitidula, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 151. 2 $ .
Ceratina cyanea, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 505. 1.
Ceratina crerulea, Smith, Zool. iv. 1448. 1.
Female. Length 2i-3 lines. Blue, shining and closely punc-
tured ; the labrum and mandibles black, the latter ferruginous
at their apex, which is armed with three teeth, the central tooth
the longest ; the flagellum piceous beneath. Thorax with a
central longitudinal impressed line, and two short smooth lines
on each side ; the wings subfuscous, beautifully iridescent. Ab-
domen : the margins of the three basal segments depressed, the
apex obtuse, the sixth segment with a central carina, pointed
at the apex. B.M.
Var. a. The clypeus with a yellow spot.
Male. Length 2-3 lines. This sex only differs in having the
clypeus and labrum white ; the latter has a minute black dot
in the middle at the base, and another on each side at the
middle of its margin. The thorax, wings and legs as in the
female. Abdomen having at the apex of the sixth segment in
the middle a short elevated carina ; the seventh incurved, pro-
duced at its apex into an elevated plate which is notched in the
middle. B.M.
This is a very local species, and is to be obtained most easily
by collecting in the winter all the perforated bramble-sticks that
can be found in the localities where it is known to have been
met with. It has been taken in a field close to Charlton Church,
at the entrance to the village, and is also found at Birch Wood ;
it frequents the flowers of the Echium vulgare. It is found not
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 195
uncommonly in the neighbourhood of Bristol by Mr.Walcott, who
has industriously collected the bees of that neighbourhood, and
has met with many rarities which he has presented to the British
Museum.
2. Ceratina albilabris.
C. nigra, clypeo et labro macula alba ornatis. Mas, clypeo et
labro totis albis.
Hylaeus albilabris, Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 305. 10.
Prosopis albilabris, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 293. 2.
Ceratina albilabris, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. i. t. 14. f. 11.
Jurine, Hym. p. 234.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 151. 1.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 506. 2. t. 1 9. f. 1 ? , 2 $ .
Smith, Zool. vii. Append. 57.
Female. Length 2| lines. Black, shining and punctured ; the
clypeus and the labrum more or less white, the spots varying
in different individuals ; the tubercles and a minute spot at the
base of the tibiae white ; the wings subhyaline and iridescent ;
the abdomen clavate, the margins of the segments piceous ;
the abdomen is sometimes dark brown. B.M.
The male only differs in having the clypeus and labrum entirely
white ; the abdomen incurved and truncate at the apex.
This species is included amongst the British bees with some
hesitation. A specimen of the female is placed in the collection
of the British Museum, having a ticket attached, bearing the
number 236 ; on reference to Dr. Leach's MS. Catalogue, the
following entry is found : " June 4th, 236, taken in Tothill
Lane," Devonshire : the entry does not indicate whether the
number refers to an hymenopterous insect or not. Future in-
vestigation will probably remove all doubts of its being indi-
genous.
Subfamily 4. SCOPULIPEDES, Latr.
Genus 13. EUCERA.
Apis, pt., Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419. no. 1684 (1761).
Eucera, Scop. Ann. Hist. Nat. iv. 8 (1769).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a slight curve on the
vertex ; antennae filiform, the first joint of the flagellum twice
K2
196 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
|
the length of the second and following joints, which are of about
equal length, the first joint slender at its base. The labial palpi
four-jointed, the two basal joints elongate, the first joint twice
the length of the second, the two apical joints minute, placed at
the side and near the apex of the second joint. The labium
one-third longer than the palpi ; the paraglossse setiform, elon-
gate and pubescent, nearly as long as the labium, pointed at
their apex. The maxillary palpi six-jointed, the basal joint very
thick as compared to the following joints, which are slender,
subclavate, and each a little shorter than the preceding from
the basal to the apical joint. The superior wings with one mar-
ginal and two submarginal cells, the second submarginal cell
receiving the first recurrent nervure a little within, and the.
second nervure near its apex ; the spines which arm the tibiae at
their apex, simple ; the claws bifid. The males have their an-
tennse as long as the entire body, filiform, the joints arcuate
and beautifully reticulated.
Eucera longicornis is the only species of the genus found in
this country. Kirby has described four ; but the second, " lin-
guaria," is only a faded example of the male of longicornis ;
the third, " pollinaris," is a North American species, and the
fourth, Druriella,isa species of Tetralonia (Macrocera). Eucera
prefers a clayey soil for its burrows ; it forms an oval chamber
or cell at the end, the sides of which it renders perfectly smooth,
and capable of resisting the moisture of the semi-fluid mixture
of pollen and honey which it stores up for its young brood ; each
cell contains a single larva. Its development is precisely the same
as that of the genus Anthophora; it undergoes its changes in
the same manner ; it does not spin a cocoon, but passes the
winter in the larva state, changing about the end of April to the
pupa, and shortly after arriving at its perfect condition. The
pupa throw r s off a thin transparent shroud. The male on emer-
ging from its cell passes its long antennae through the notch at the
base of the first joint of the anterior tarsus, drawing the antennae
through, and thus readily divests those organs of the thin pellicle
in which they are enveloped : here we see another beautiful ex-
emplification of the truth that "nothing is made in vain." The
long antennae of the males of this genus are doubtless adapted
to some peculiar phase in their economy, and the remarkable
hexagonal reticulation of the joints also answers some purpose
connected with a peculiar sense, the exact function of which we
are unable to appreciate.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 197
1. Eucera longicornis.
E. nigra, pallide fulvo-villosa ; thorace abdominisque basi hir-
suto-fulvis. Mas, antennis filiformibus longitudine corporis.
Apis longicornis, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 419. no. 1684 ; Syst. Nat. i.
953. 1 $ , 8f Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc.
Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 298. 794. f. 794.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 388. 58.
Sch'dff. Icon. Ins. t. 44. f. 3.
Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 446. 10.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 922.
Christ. Hym. p. 142. t. 11. f. 9.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Anyl. ii. 278. 59 $ ? .
Sulz. Gesch. Ins. t. 27. f. 14.
Eucera longicornis, Scop. Ann. Hist. Nat. iv. 8. 1 $ *
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 343. 1.
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 43. 1.
Brulle, Exped. Sc. de More'e, iiL 334. 742.
Zett. Ins. Lapp.?. W. 1.
Blanch. Hist. Nat. Ins. iii. p. 407.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 118. 3.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Aiger. iii. 159. 34.
Smith, Zool. iv. 1449. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 249. 1.
Bar, Bull. Mosc. xxiii. 530. 1. t. 13. f. 1.
Apis tuberculata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 334. 84 ? .
Eucera tuberculata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 78. 19.
Eucera vulgaris, Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. p. 149. 1.
Andrena strigosa, Panz. Faun. Germ. 64. 16 ?.
Ray, Hist. Ins. 243 <? .
Swamm. Bill. Nat. t. 26. f. 6 < .
Geoff. Ins. Par. ii. 413. 10.
Female. Length 6^-7 lines. Black : the face and labrum
clothed with cinereous pubescence, somewhat fulvous on the
labrum anteriorly, the mandibles ferruginous at their apex.
Thorax above clothed with fulvous pubescence, on the sides
pale yellow, and beneath cinereous ; tegulse and nervures fer-
ruginous, the wings pale fulvo-hyaline ; the legs have a ful-
vous pubescence above, on the tarsi beneath it is ferruginous ;
the calcaria pale testaceous, the apical joints of the tarsi fer-
ruginous, tips of the claws black. Abdomen broad, subde-
pressed, at the base thinly clothed with pale fulvous pubes-
cence ; the second and third segments have laterally on their
apical margins a fascia of very short cinereous pubescence, on
the fourth segment an entire fascia, the two apical segments
covered w r ith short fulvous pubescence ; beneath, the apical
segments have a fulvous fringe. B.M.
198 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Male. Length 5-7 lines. Black : the labrum and clypeus
yellow, the pubescence on the face yellowish -white ; on the
margin of the vertex, disk of the thorax, and two basal seg-
ments of the abdomen, it is fulvous ; the antennae as long as
the entire insect ; the extreme apex of the abdomen fulvous ;
the wings and legs as in the other sex. B.M.
This insect is found in all parts of the country ; it usually
makes its appearance about the latter part of May, and in some
situations forms large colonies. Few insects are more widely
distributed throughout Europe ; it is found not only in Southern
Europe, but also in Russia, Siberia, Denmark, Sweden and Lap-
land.
Genus 14. SAROPODA.
Apis, pt., Panz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 55. f. 17 (1800).
Anthophora, pt., Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 127 (1806).
Ileliophila, King, Illig. Mag. vi. (nee Burmanri) (1807).
Saropoda, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. iv. 177 (1809).
Head transverse, the ocelli placed in a triangle on the vertex ;
the antennae filiform, the basal joint of the flagellum narrowed
at the base ; the labrum subquadrate, the angles rounded. The
labial palpi four-jointed, the basal joint more than six times the
length of the second joint, the two apical ones minute, placed in
a successive line with the two basal joints ; the apical joint very
slender, pointed, and minute ; the labium about one-third longer
than the palpi, and twice the length of the mentum. The
maxillary palpi four-jointed ; the basal joint one-third the length
of the second, the third shorter than the second, and the fourth
cylindrical and minute. The superior wings with one marginal
and three submarginal cells ; the marginal cell rounded at the
apex, the second submarginal cell receiving the first recurrent
nervure in the middle, the third receiving the second at its apex.
Thorax globose. Abdomen subovate, the calcaria simple, the
claws bifid.
Of all the busy bees that revel in the beauty of a summer's
day, Saropoda bimaculata must ever be an especial favourite ; it
is only to be found when it is sunniest, brightest and hottest
when summer days are summer days indeed. Who has not
heard its merry hum ? who has not seen it, when for a moment
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 199
it settles on a flower, or rests on some sunny bank, panting with
delight ? The eyes splendid as opals, could their brilliancy be
preserved, this bee would rival, and challenge admiration with
the most brilliant of its tribe. It is a local species, but abounds
in many localities ; it flies with incredible swiftness, darting from
flower to flower.
We have in this country no other species of the genus Saro-
poda ; two other bees have usually been associated with it, but
they belong to the genus Anthophora. Saropoda, as charac-
terized by Latreille, has setiform labial palpi, the joints being
consequently continued in a straight line ; no other British bee
resembles it in this respect.
1. Saropoda Mmacnlata.
S. nigra, pallide villosa ; facie antice, oreque flavescentibus ;
ano tomentoso-incano. Mas, thorace fulvo-villoso, facie im-
maculata.
Apis biraaculata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 17 ^ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 286. 63 ? .
Apis rotundata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 9 $ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 291. 66.
Anthophora biraaculata, Spin. Ins. Lig. i. 127. 6.
St. Farg. Hym. ii. 36. 11.
Heliophila bimaculata, Klug, Illig. Mag. vi. 227.
Saropoda bimaculata, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. t. 361.
Smith, Zool. iii. 891. 1.
Female. Length 4^-5 lines. Black : the clypeus, labrum and
mandibles yellow ; the clypeus and the labrum have two qua-
drate black spots at their base ; the tips of the mandibles rufo-
piceous. Thorax : the disk clothed with fuscous pubescence,
that on its sides and beneath is palish yellow ; the legs dark
rufo-piceous, clothed above with pale yellowish- white pubes-
cence, at the tips of the femora a little short fulvous pubes-
cence ; the wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their apical
margins. Abdomen subglobose, at the base a little pale fulvous
pubescence, the second and third segments have a fascia of
very short pubescence of the same colour ; the two following
have a clothing of very short cinereous pubescence, that at the
apex is black. B.M.
Male. Length 4J lines. Black : the face below the insertion
of the antennae, the scape in front, the labrum and mandibles,
yellow, the tips of the latter ferruginous ; on the vertex and
disk of the thorax the pubescence is fulvous ; the wings as in
200 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
the female; the claw-joint of the tarsi larger than in the other
sex, and dark rufo-piceous ; the pubescence on the sides of the
thorax, metathorax, and base of the abdomen pale fulvous ; all
the segments have a narrow fascia of short pubescence of the
same colour. B.M.
This species is not found in the immediate vicinity of London.
Mr. Kirby observes that he met with it in " a sunny sand-pit
near Coomb Wood : " that locality has been searched on many
occasions, but without success. It is taken at Weybridge, at
Hawley, and other places in Hants, in which county it is very
plentiful ; it is found in the greatest abundance in Sandown Bay,
Isle of Wight, where it literally abounds in the month of July.
The Apis rotundata of Kirby is A. bimaculata in fine condition.
Genus 15. AKTHOPHOPJL
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 953 (1766).
Megilla, pt., Fair. Syst. Piez. p. 328 (1804).
Lasius, pt., Jurine, Hym. p. 235 (1807).
Anthophora, Lair. Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. ix. 167 (1803) ; Gen.
Crust, et Ins. iv. 174 (1809).
Head transverse, broad, the eyes wide apart ; viewed in front,
subtrigonate ; ocelli placed in a triangle on the vertex ; the an-
tennae have the scape short, about equal in length to the first
joint of the ftagellum, the radical or intervening joint globose;
the first joint of the flagellum elavate, beyond which it is filiform,
the joints being of about equal length ; the labrum subquadrate,
rounded anteriorly. The labial palpi four-jointed, the basal
joint thrice the length of the second joint; the two apical joints
minute, placed at the side and near the apex of the second joint,
which is pointed at its apex ; the tongue one-third longer than
the palpi, pubescent, particularly towards the apex ; the para-
glossse short and lanceolate. Maxillary palpi six-jointed, the
basal joint short and stout, the second stouter and longer than
the third, the rest each shorter than the preceding. The ante-
rior wings with one marginal and three submarginal cells ; the
second submarginal narrow r ed towards the marginal, and receiving
the first recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle, the third
submarginal of nearly equal width ; the second recurrent nervure
uniting with the apical nervure of the third submarginal cell ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 201
in some exotic species the recurrent nervure is received a little
within ; the posterior tibiae and the basal joint of the tarsi densely
pubescent on the outside. Abdomen usually subovate ; some-
times densely pubescent, sometimes subpubescent, and having
regular bands on the apical margins of the segments.
The genus Anthophora is one of great extent, although there
are only four British species ; it is found in all quarters of the
globe. The genus, as at present constituted, contains species of
varied habits ; A, fur cat a being a wood-burro wer* ; the rest of
the indigenous species burrow in the ground, or in walls and
similar situations; A. acervorum is sometimes seen in great
numbers perforating the mortar of barns and outhouses ; its more
constant habit is to burrow in banks ; many parts at the back
of the Isle of Wight have the cliffs completely riddled with their
burrows. They are subject to the attacks of various parasites
and other destroyers ; of the latter kind nothing can surpass the
wholesale slaughter committed on their broods by the common
earwig ; this destructive insect penetrates their burrows and de-
vours the food laid up for the progeny of the bee, and there is
reason to believe that they also destroy the pupae ; they appear
to be omnivorous, and to devour alike pollen, honey, pupae, and
perfect insects.
Of the insects which are parasitic ouA. acervorum in the larva
state, the first which claims notice is a species belonging to the
ChalcididcB, of the genus Melittobia of Westwood, with which
the genus A nthophorabia of Newport is synonymous. The latter
gentleman published a valuable and highly interesting memoir
on this parasite in the ( Linnrean Transactions,' vol. xxi. p. 63.
In the autumn of 1 853 I had the pleasure of finding this in-
teresting parasite in the cells of Anthophora. The female is a
minute shining dark green insect, not more than half a line in
length ; the male is equally minute, but is of a testaceous yellow
colour, having only rudimentary wings, and is not furnished
with the usual compound eyes, but has in their place exceed-
ingly minute simple eyes or ocelli, besides three true ocelli
on the vertex of the head : this remarkable conformation was
discovered by Mr. Newport, who has given ample details, and
the results of most elaborate physiological investigations, in the
paper alluded to. Melittobia is here treated as the parasite
of Anthophora, in accordance with the history of its habits as
detailed by Mr. Newport ; but when I discovered the larva, it
was feeding on that of Monodontomerus nitidus, a true parasite
* See Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. p. 290.
K5
202 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
on the bee, which has been found in its cells feeding on the
pupae. Having obtained a large supply of larvae of the bee, and
also of Monodontomerus and Melittobia, ample means of observa-
tion were afforded, the result of which appeared to show that
Monodontomerus is the true parasite of Anthophora, and Melit-
tobia a parasite of both genera. Melittobia attacks indiscrimi-
nately the larvae of both insects, but in their natural situation I
only found them feeding on Monodontomerus. Several cells were
obtained containing larvae of Melittobia, but their victim was con-
sumed ; therefore it was not possible to determine satisfactorily
whether they had fed upon the Chalcis or the bee. M. Audouin
discovered Melittobia Acasta in the nests of Osmia, Anthophora
and Odynerus ; probably there are several species closely allied ;
for with insects so minute, and belonging to a family in which a
very general resemblance obtains, it requires a practised eye, as
well as a careful microscopic investigation, before the specific
differences can be detected. The mode of attack which these
parasites practise appears to be made by several females obtain-
ing entrance to the cell of the bee and attacking its larvae, upon
which they deposit their eggs, to the number of one hundred
at least, which soon hatch, and the young larvae attach them-
selves to their victim, continuing to feed until full-grown, when
they fall off and lie inactive at the bottom of the cell ; by the
time the whole brood is full-fed, the larva of the bee is entirely
consumed. The bees and the parasites appear in their perfect
condition about the same time in the season, some having passed
the winter months in the larva state, others in their perfect
condition.
Two bees are parasites upon the genus Anthophora Melecta
luctuosa and M. armata, the former upon A. retusa, and the
latter upon A. acervorum : the latter makes its appearance very
early in the spring, as soon, in fact, as the first wild-flowers
bloom ; it may be sometimes observed early in March, attracted
by the garden Crocus ; it continues to be found as late as July,
and was captured in the Isle of Wight on the 15th of that
month. The latter circumstance is explained by an investiga-
tion of a large colony in the month of November, when a large
portion of the brood will be found to have arrived at its per-
fect condition, the rest being still in the larva or the pupa state,
the latter fast advancing to maturity ; the entire brood of the
colony will pass the ensuing winter either as larvae or perfect
insects ; none can withstand its rigour in the intermediate
or pupa state. Those which remain larvae until the return of
spring advance to the perfect state very irregularly ; many will
not become perfect until May, and a few probably not until June;
this will account for the species being found during so many
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 203
months in one season. I have frequently had larvse in an artifi-
cial position, that is, in glass tubes, or boxes, which have not
changed until the second season, but am quite unable to account
for such an apparent anomaly -, how little, in fact, is at present
known of the complete history of the Aculeate Hymenoptera !
for, to use the words of Kirby, " So much knowledge, even with
respect to a single genus, where the species are numerous, is not
to be expected from one man." But if each hymenopterist
would give faithful records of his observations, the day will come
when, by a combination of observations, an approach will be
made towards a perfect knowledge of the history, economy, and
uses of each individual species.
1. Anthophora retnsa.
A. hirsuta, atra; tibiarum posticarum scopa fulvo-aurea. Mas,
corpore pilis ful vis dense vestito ; ano nigricante.
Apis retusa, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 420. 1689 ; Syst. Nat. i. 954. 8,
8f Cab. Mas, Linn. Soc. ? .
Apis Haworthana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 307. 70 $ .
Anthophora Haworthana, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. t. 357 $ .
Smith, Zool. Hi. 895. 2 $ $ .
Anthophora retusa, St. Farg. Hyrn. ii. 69. 38.
Megilla retusa, Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 265. 2.
Female. Length 7 lines. Black ; the head nearly as wide as
the thorax, the sides of the face and the labrum have a brown
pubescence. Thorax : the disk clothed with short black pu-
bescence, the sides of the metathorax with sooty-black, the pos-
terior tibiae and the basal joint of the tarsi clothed with fulvo-
ferruginous pubescence ; all the tarsi beneath ferruginous ; the
calcaria pale testaceous, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen slightly
pubescent, the margins of the segments having a fringe of short
sooty-black hair. B.M.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. Black ; the scape in front, the
clypeus, the face on each side, and the labrum yellow ; the
clypeus with two large black maculae at its base, sometimes
uniting ; and the labrum with two small black dots at the base ;
the pubescence on the vertex and on the disk of the thorax ful-
vous ; in the centre of the latter is a mixture of black hairs ;
the anterior legs thinly fringed behind with fulvous hairs, the
intermediate and posterior tibiee fringed with fulvous ; the basal
joint of the intermediate tarsi has a thick short fringe in front,
and a longer one behind of black pubescence ; the basal joint of
the tarsi black, the apical joints fulvous ; the wings subhyaline,
204 DEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
faintly clouded at their apical margins. Abdomen : the basal
segment, and sometimes the second also, thinly clothed with
pale fulvous pubescence, the apical segments have a short black
pubescence, the margins of the segments more or less fringed
with pale hairs. B.M.
Having changed the specific name of this species, it is neces-
sary to give reasons for so doing. In the first place, the authentic
specimen in the Linnsean Cabinet is undoubtedly the present
species ; I have also ascertained that the next species, formerly
considered the retusa of Linnaeus, is not found in Sweden,
whereas the present insect is common. The two species may at
once be separated by simply examining the calcaria which arm
the tibiae ; in A. retusa they are pale testaceous, in A. acervorum
they are black. Mr. Kirby was not acquainted with the female of
A. retusa, at least he considered the Linnsean typical specimen to
be identical with A. acervorum ; but on turning to the remarks
on the Linnaean type in the ' Monographia,' we at once see the
difference between it and the next species ; Mr. Kirby says, " it
is smaller, not quite so hairy, nor is its hair of so deep a black : "
all characteristics of A. retusa, and not of A. acervorum.
The present species is somewhat local, but abundant in many
situations ; it is found at Hampstead Heath, Blackheath, Charl-
ton, Coomb Wood, and is very plentiful at and near Shirley in
Surrey. It is rather later in its appearance than A. acervorum,
and is seldom met with much before the beginning of May.
2. Anthophora acervorum.
A. atra, hirsuta; tibiarum posticarum scopa fulvo-aurea. Mas,
corpore atro, hirsuto-fulvo ; ano nigricanti, pedibus interme-
diis elongatis, crinito-pectinatis.
Apis acervorum, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 382. 21 $ ; Ent. Syst. ii. 322.
36 (nee Linn.}.
Apis Hispanica, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 6 (nee Fair.).
Apis retusa, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 296. 69 $ $ .
Megilla acervorum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 328. 2.
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal p. 266. 2.
Anthophora retusa, Blanch. Hist. Nat. des Ins. 406. 4. t. 7. f. 2.
Smith, Zool. iii. 894. 1.
Female. Length 7-8 lines. Black ; the pubescence black, the
posterior tibiae and the basal joint of the tarsi clothed with fulvo-
lerruginous pubescence ; the calcaria black. B.M.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 205
Male. Length 7-8 lines. Black ; the scape in front, the cly-
peus, and face on each side, a transverse line above the crypeus,
the labrum, and a spot at the base of the mandibles, yellow ;
a black spot on each side at the base of the labrum and clypeus ;
the vertex, thorax above, and two basal segments of the abdo-
men clothed with fulvous pubescence, that on the thorax be-
neath cinereous ; the intermediate legs elongate, the basal
joint of their tarsi having a short thick black fringe at the apex
in front, and having, as well as the three following joints, a thin
fringe of long black hair behind, the apical joint fringed with
long black hair on both sides ; the posterior tibiae have a white
fringe on their hinder margin ; the apical segments of the ab-
domen clothed with black pubescence ; the calcaria black.
B.M.
This species is found in all parts of the United Kingdom ; in
some situations it literally swarms. There is a colony of this
bee in the chalk-pits at Northfleet, of such amazing extent, that
in the middle of April a dark nickering shadow is cast on the
ground from the countless numbers assembled. There can be
little doubt of the present species being the wild bee, alluded
to by Gilbert White in his ( History of Selborne,' which made
its nests in the chalky soil, amidst the trenches of the Danish
Camp, on Mount Carburn near Lewes. White describes the
bee as dashing round the heads of intruders, with a sharp and
hostile sound, the very habit of Anthophora acervorum.
3. Anthophora quadrimaculata.
A. atra, pallido-villosa ; thorace flavescenti ; abdominis segmentis
pallido marginatis. Mas, femoribus intermediis magnis, cla-
vatis.
Apis 4-maculata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 55. 7.
Apis vulpina, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 290. 65 $ .
Apis subglobosa, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 295. 68 $ .
Megilla 4-maculata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 331. 14.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 244. 3.
Anthophora quadrimaculata, Sf. Farg. Hym. ii. 84. 51.
Saropoda vulpina, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. 361.
Smith, Zool. iii. 892 $ $ .
Female. Length 4J lines. Black ; the pubescence on the
face fuscous, on each side anteriorly is a little short cine-
reous pubescence, that on the vertex is black ; on the disk of
the thorax it is fulvo-ochraceous, the tips of the hairs black ;
on the metathorax the pubescence is pale fulvo-ochraceous, that
206 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
on the thorax beneath is cinereous; the legs have a short cine-
reous pubescence, that on the posterior tibiae and intermediate
and posterior tarsi above is white ; the tarsi beneath fulvous,
the calcaria testaceous, the claws ferruginous ; the wings hyaline,
very faintly clouded at their apical margins. Abdomen sub-
globose, the margins of the segments fringed with fulvo-ochra-
ceous pubescence ; between the fasciae the pubescence is fuscous,
that at the apex black. B.M.
Male. Length 4 lines. Black ; the scape in front, the clypeus,
a transverse line above, the face on each side, the labrum, and
a spot at the base of the mandibles, yellow ; the clypeus has
on each side at its base an angular black spot, and the labrum
a minute round dot; in other respects it closely resembles
the female ; the femora clavate, the intermediate pair most
thickly so. B.M.
In Mr. Kirby's own interleaved copy of the ' Monographia '
was found a query as to whether this species was not the 4-ma-
culata of Fabricius ; all doubt however has been removed by Dr.
Nylander, who saw that species in the Museum at Kiel. Mr. Kirby
had also made a note to the effect that his subglobosa might be
the female : this is in accordance with my own observation in the
' Zoologist.' A. quadrimaculata is a local insect, but it is met
with in the vicinity of London ; in the Battersea and Kentish
Town Fields, it occurs plentifully during the month of July ; it
commonly frequents the Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum),
and flies with great rapidity, in many respects resembling Saro-
poda bimaculata, particularly in its shrill piping hum. This bee
burrows in banks.
4. Anthophora furcata.
A. corpore nigro, griseo-pubescenti ; facie antice, labio, anoque,
villoso-ferrugineis. Mas, corpore atro, cinereo-pubescenti ;
facie antice, labioque, flavis ; abdomine apice furcato.
Apis furcata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 56. 8 $ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 288. 64 $ $ . t. 17. f. 5 $ , 6 $ .
Anthophora furcata, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 82. 49.
Saropoda furcata, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii. 361.
Smith, Zool. iii. 893. 3.
Megilla furcata, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 245. 4.
Female. Length 6 lines. Black ; the pubescence on the labrum
obscure ferruginous, that on the face fuscous, intermixed with
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 207
black on the vertex ; the thorax has a fuscous pubescence on
the disk, on the metathorax and sides it is pale fulvo-ochra-
ceous ; the legs have a similar pubescence, that on the poste-
rior tibiae and basal joint of the tarsi is of a brighter yellow ;
wings subhyaline. Abdomen ovate, the base has a thin pale
pubescence, which is also thinly scattered over the whole ab-
domen, that at the apex being bright ferruginous. B.M.
Maid Length 5-5 lines. This sex closely resembles the
female, but it has the clypeus and the face on each side, a
transverse line above the clypeus, the labrum, and usually a
spot on the scape in front, yellow ; the clypeus has a round
fuscous spot on each side at the base ; the pubescence on the
thorax is similar to that of the other sex above ; beneath it is
cinereous. Abdomen thinly clothed with pale pubescence,
towards the apex it is black. B.M.
This bee is by no means abundant, nor is it generally distri-
buted ; it is however found in the vicinity of London during the
months of July and August; it occurs in the Battersea and
Kentish Town fields, frequenting the flowers of the Red Dead-
nettle, frequently in company with A. 4-maculata ; it is not un-
common in the neighbourhood of Brentford and Hammersmith,
but has seldom been met with beyond the London district.
Subfamily 5. SOCIALES, Latr.
Genus 16. BOMBUS.
Apis, pt., Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 953 (1766).
Bombus, pt , Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 63 (1802).
Bremus, Panz. Jurine, Hym. p. 259.
Body oblong and densely pubescent ; head subtriangular ; an-
tennae geniculated, filiform, longer than the head. Ocelli placed
in a slight curve in a transverse impression on the vertex. La-
brum transverse, its anterior margin ciliated. Mandibles stout,
grooved exteriorly towards their apex, which is rounded. Labial
palpi four-jointed ; the first joint elongate, longer than the
mentum, the second joint about one-fourth as long as the first,
ciliated at the sides ; the third and fourth joints minute, placed
outside and near the apex of the second joint. Paraglossse
short, broad, and rounded at their apex; labiuin linear, very
208 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
pubescent, and about one-third longer than the labial palpi.
Maxillary palpi two - jointed. The superior wings with one
marginal and three submarginal cells, the second submarginal
cell much narrowed towards the marginal, receiving the first re-
current nervure about the middle ; the third submarginal nar-
rowed towards the marginal, receiving the second recurrent ner-
vure near its apex. The posterior legs in the females have
on the upper and under margins of the tibiae externally,, a dense
fringe of stiff hairs, forming a corbicula or pollen -basket ; the
exterior surface of the tibia3 smooth, shining, and broadly di-
lated; the basal joint of the tarsi elongate, broad, flattened, and
slightly concave exteriorly, deeply notched at the base, form-
ing a stout tooth ; the exterior margins ciliated with short stiff
hairs ; the claws bifid.
In the males the tongue is more elongate and slender; the
mandibles have a dense fringe of curled hair on their inferior
margins ; the antennae are more slender, and longer ; the poste-
rior tibia3 are not furnished with a corbicula, and are slightly
thickened; the basal joint of the posterior tarsi not notched at
the base ; the abdomen has an additional segment, and the
antennas an additional joint.
The genus Bombus consists of a large number of species ; it
is widely distributed, having an extensive geographical range;
twelve species are known to inhabit Java, India, and China;
they are, however, apparently most abundant in northern lati-
tudes. America produces several very beautiful species : from
the arctic regions of that continent have been received species
not distinguishable from those of Northern Europe. Several
fine species are inhabitants of South America, but the genus has
not yet been observed in Australia or New Zealand. The Bombi
are the most generally known of all the genera of wild bees,
hence they have received a variety of popular names : in Hamp-
shire they are called Dumbledors, in other districts Bumble-bees
and Hummel-bees ; the brown species are known in Scotland
as the Foggie-bee, no idea existing of there being more than one
species of that colour. It is very probable that Humble may be
a corruption of humming, for we constantly find, in Natural
History, popular names given to animals and plants extremely
characteristic. No one, who loves to watch Nature in all her
varied guise, can have failed in early spring, when the catkins
are first found on the willow, to notice the loud hum of the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 209
females of different species of Bombi ; and in May, when the
horse-chestnut blooms, from the break to the close of day the
hum of these industrious bees is unceasing.
Great difficulty has hitherto attended the discrimination of
the species ; no examination of specimens, or comparisons, could
ever produce a correct division of these insects ; in the pages
open to all, in the woods, in the fields, and on the hills alone,
could this be attained. During my entomological rambles for
twenty years, no opportunity has been lost of acquiring a correct
knowledge of these bees ; and by an examination of an immense
number of nests, and collecting the varieties into which the
sexes run in many species, I hope to clear away many difficulties.
The greatest tendency to vary in colouring will be found to ob-
tain in the males, and no other method of correctly bringing
together the extraordinary varieties which occur in this sex in
some species has been discovered, than an examination of the
organs of generation ; in all the species they differ in form,
but are constant in each individual species. The numerous
varieties in the male sex of Bombus muscorwn can be correctly
and easily ascertained by the method which I have suggested ;
whilst in those species in which the other sexes differ in their
colouring, the correctness of the descriptions may be relied upon :
nearly all have been made from individuals either captured in or
bred from the nests.
The economy of the Bombi has been very fully detailed by
numerous authors. M. P. Huber has paid great attention to the
economy of these bees, and his observations on their habits are
generally in accordance with my own. I never found any females
hybernating in the old nests ; at the end of autumn these are
always entirely deserted. During the winter months torpid
females may be found hybernating, always singly, in decayed
trunks of tree, under turf stacks, or in other sheltered and dry
situations. The females of these bees, having passed the winter
in a torpid state, are roused from their slumber by the warmth
of returning spring, and each becomes the foundress of a sepa-
rate colony. The nests formed in the first instance are of small
dimensions, just sufficient to contain a few cells, in which to rear
workers to assist her in the extensive works necessary to the
wants of a large colony. When the larvae of the bees are full-
grown they spin a tough oval cocoon of silk, in which they
assume the nymph state, and w r hen sufficiently advanced towards
maturity to require food, they commence gnawing off the top of
the cocoon, in which they are greatly assisted by the workers.
On first emerging from their confinement they are by no means
matured, the pubescence with which they are covered is almost
of one uniform pale colour, and it requires several days before
210 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
they acquire the gay livery in which we are in the habit of seeing
them when on the wing.
The females and males do not appear before the season is con-
siderably advanced, differing in the precise time in the various
species : the males of B. pratorum appear first these begin to
come forth about the third week in May, The connexion of
the sexes of these bees being very rarely observed, I am inclined
to believe that it usually takes place in the nest ; pairs of several
species have however been captured under these circumstances ;
thus, independent of rearing them from their nests, giving addi-
tional evidence of their being correctly united.
The males after once leaving the nest seldom return to it, but
I have several times observed them re-entering it, and by this
means have discovered their colonies : and Mr. Kirby states that
he once saw the male of E. lapidarius entering the nidus of that
species.
The nests of the Eombi are infested with several insects which
devour the wax and honey, and by others which devour the
young brood ; most nests swarm with a species of Acarus, which
devours the wax and honey ; the larvae of Tinea pellionella also
abound in many: nests, they were found in great numbers in
that of B. Derhamellus ; in the same nest was also found An-
therophayus glaber and Anobium paniceum : some communities
are much infested with the larvae of Volucella.
The Bombi have also a parasitic genus of bees which inhabit
their nests, apparently occupying a state of aristocratic inde-
pendence in the community ; whether they take any part in the
economy of the community has not been ascertained. These bees
were first observed by Mr. Kirby ; he noticed that four of the
Bombinatrices had no corbicula for conveying pollen to their
nests, and proposed a division for these Humble-bees, whose eco-
nomy he conjectured must be different from that of the rest of
the family. Although the parasitic connexion existing between
these and the true Bombi has been long conjectured, no author
has hitherto found them in the nests of the working species ;
although I have taken or examined a very large number of the
nests of Bombus, I have only occasionally met with the parasites
in them ; but never in the nests of the brown Humble-bees.
Apathus Barbutellus was found in the nest of Bombus pratorum
and Bombus Derhamellus, but many nests do not contain para-
sites. Apathus nemorum occurs in the nest of Bombus terrestris,
and it probably also frequents that of B. subterraneus. What
office these bees perform in the economy of the nest has not been
discovered ; they live on the most friendly terms with the in-
dustrious part of the community, and it is probable that upon
them devolves some important office, the nature of which it
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 211
would be very interesting to discover. It has been supposed,
from the very close resemblance of the Apathi to the Bombi,
that the former are an idle race reared at the expense of the in-
dustrious bees, and wearing a livery in imitation of them, for the
purpose of deception ; but there can be little doubt of these
aristocrats of the community performing important and neces-
sary duties highly conducive to the general prosperity of the
whole. That the close resemblance of these bees is not for the
purpose of deception is at once proved by the fact of A. Bar-
butellus, a yellow-banded bee, being found in the nest of B. Der-
hamellus, a black species having the tip of the body red ; and we
have already seen that, amongst the solitary bees, the greatest
difference in appearance exists ; we would instance Epeolus and
Colletes, Andrena and Nomada, also Melecta and Anthophora.
A. Bar butellus has been found in the nest of B. Scrimshiranus
in Scotland.
The numbers of which the societies of Humble-bees consist,
vary greatly in different species ; as a general rule, those which
build a nest above ground are the smallest ; the number found
in a nest of senilis being 22 females, 44 workers, and 1 6 males,
the remainder of the latter sex having left the nest ; of unde-
veloped workers the combs contained 27 pupae and 9 of males
this gives 118 : of empty cells, which I believe had been occu-
pied by males, there were 10, making a total of 128. This is
the largest number which has been observed in any nest of this
species, the time of taking the nest being the end of August;
about half that number usually constitutes the entire population.
A nest of JB. fragrans contained only 5 females and about
20 workers : this being in the month of August, it would appear
that the communities of this species are very small. The nests
of Bombus terrestris contain the largest number of individuals ;
a nest taken in August contained 35 females, 20 males, and
160 workers; at this time the majority of males and females
had left the nest : in this community were found 2 females and
9 males of Apathus nemorum.
Another circumstance connected with these bees is the various
degrees of pugnacity which they exhibit when their dominions
are invaded : the moss-builders exhibit little or no courage in
defence of their citadel, they may be taken with impunity : but
a far different race are those which build underground ; these are
bold and daring insects, which defend their nests with great
courage.
The term Moss-builders must not be taken literally, since
many nests are composed entirely of grass and leaves ; but in
situations where moss is plentiful, the nests will be found to be
constructed entirely of that material. To show that Humble-
212 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
bees avail themselves of such materials as are most readily found,
and suitable to their purpose, I may instance a very remarkable
nest found near a farm-house. One of the brown species of
Humble-bees was observed frequently flying into a stable
through the latticed window ; the bee was busily engaged in
collecting bundles of short horse-hair accumulated from the
currying of horses; this she flew off with to a short distance,
and settled down with it amongst some grass ; on examining the
spot, a nest composed entirely of horse-hair was discovered :
this interesting nest was destroyed before the bee had quite
completed its construction. Another very interesting devia-
tion from the usual economy of the moss-building bees was
observed by Dr. William Bell: during the summer of 1854, a
robin built its nest in the porch of his cottage at Putney ; some
time after this had been observed, a Humble-bee took possession
of the nest, and adapted it to her own purpose : he was unfortu-
nately unable to identify the species by capturing a specimen,
the nest having been destroyed ; but Dr. Bell saw the bee 011
one occasion, and observed that it was black with yellow bands,
probably Bombus pratorum.
1. Bombus nmscorum.
B. hirsuto-flavescens ; thorace fulvo ; abdomine plus minus ve
atro-fasciato.
Apis muscorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 425. 1714 ; Syst. Nat. i.
960. 46, # type in Cab. Mus. Linn. Soc. ? .
Apis agrorum, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 321. 29 ?
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 326. 81 $ .
Apis flora'lis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 321. 76 ? . t. 17. f. 14 $ .
Apis Beckwithella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 323. 78 $ .
Apis Sowerbiana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 322. 77 $ .
Apis Curtisella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 324. 79 $ .
Apis Francillonella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 319. 75 (worker"),
t. 17. f. 13.
Apis Fosterella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 325. 80 (worker).
Bremus agrorum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85. 20 $ .
Bombus agrorum, Fabr. Syat. Piez. p. 348. 30 $ (var.).
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 48. 28.
Drews, 8f Schiodte, Bomb. Denm. Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 108. 2.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 228. 4.
Bombus muscorum, Smith, Zool. ii. 545. 2<$ $ J .
Bombus senilis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 352. 50 (worker) (Mus. Acad.
Hofnice).
Female. Length 6-8 lines. Black ; the face clothed with ob-
scure yellow pubescence ; the clypeus naked and shining, the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 213
pubescence on each side of it, and also that on the vertex, black.
Thorax clothed above with rufo-fulvous pubescence, on the
sides it is pale yellow, and beneath cinereous, as well as that on
the femora, the legs otherwise have a black pubescence, the
corbicula sometimes having a mixture of pale hairs ; the basal
joint of the tarsi ferruginous beneath. B.M.
Var. a. The abdomen having the first segment and the base of
the second clothed with yellow pubescence, the remainder of
the second segment and more or less of the third covered with
black, thence to the apex clothed with rufo-fulvous pubes-
cence; the corbicula black. (A. Beckwithella, Kirby.)
Var. |3. The abdomen clothed with black pubescence, except at
the base and apex, where it is rufo-ferruginous. (A. agrorum,
Kirby.)
Worker. Length 3|-6 lines. Closely resembling the female ;
the face has a mixture of black and pale pubescence, that on
the vertex black; the thorax has a rufo-fulvous pubescence
above, on the sides it is pallid, and beneath white ; the abdo-
men has a pale ochraceous pubescence, usually brightest at the
apex, the third segment having sometimes a black band; in
some instances there will be two or three obscure dark bands.
B.M.
Var. a. The base and apex alone having pale fulvous pubescence,
the intermediate portion clothed with black.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The pubescence on the head pale
yellow, mixed with black on the vertex ; the antennse as long-
as the thorax, the joints subarcuate ; the thorax has a fulvous
pubescence above ; the abdomen has a pale pubescence, and
three or four obscure dark bands. B.M,
Var. a. The abdomen black. (A. Curtisella, Kirby.)
Var. j8. The base of the abdomen black, the apex fulvous. (A.
agrorum <J , Kirby.)
Having included seven of the species of our great monographer
in that of E. muscorum, I must observe that it has not been done
without having repeatedly examined the communities of a large
number of nests ; in some, all the varieties described were found ;
in different nests, one or other of the varieties will usually be
the most numerous ; in nests found in the north of England, the
variety B. agrorum is much more numerous than in the west.
This species is found in all parts of the United Kingdom, and is
undoubtedly the true A. muscorum of Linna3us : the typical
specimen preserved in the cabinet at the Linnsean Society is
a female.
That the varieties of the male constitute but one species, may
214 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
be proved by an examination of the inhabitants of nests in the
autumn, when all the sexes can be found in them, and also by
an inspection of the generative organs of the varieties.
2. Bombus senilis.
B. hirsuto-flavescens ; thorace ferrugineo-fulvo.
Apis senilis, Fair. Syst. Ent. p. 382. 26; Ent. Syst. ii. 324. 44 ;
Syst. Piez. ? $ , Cab. Dom. Banks. Linn. Soc.
Apis muscorum, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 381. 17.
Schrank,Ins. Aust. no. 801.
Rossi, Faun. Etrus. ii. 100. 904.
Christ. Hym. 130. t. 8. f. 3 & t. 11. f. 8.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 317. 74, Sf Cad. Ent. Soc.
Don. Eng. Ins. xi. 70. t. 382. f. 2.
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 65. 7.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 47. 27.
Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. 253. t. 16. f. 3.
Drews. Sf Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 107. 1.
Bombus senilis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 352. 50 ?
Smith, Zool. ii. 544. 1.
Bremus muscorum, Jurine, Hym. 261.
Bombus cognatus, Steph. Brit. Ent. Supp. vii. 17. t. 43. f . 3 $ .
Reaum. Hist. Ins. vi. 36. t. 2. f. 1, 2, 3.
Female. Length 8-9 lines. Head, the pubescence entirely
fulvous ; the pubescence on the thorax above is of a rich rufo-
fulvous, on the sides and beneath it is very pale, nearly white ;
the tegulse rufo-piceous ; wings subhyaline, their apical margins
fuscous, the nervures rufo-fuscous ; the legs have a pale yellow
pubescence, the corbicula of the same colour ; the basal joint
of the tarsi ferruginous within. Abdomen clothed with pale
fulvous-yellow pubescence ; the pubescence is sometimes of a
lemon colour, and at other times inclining to orange. B.M.
Worker. Length 6^ lines. Coloured exactly like the fe-
male. B.M.
Var. a. Length 5 lines. Resembling the former very closely,
but having a mixture of black hairs on the vertex and on the
sides of the disk of the thorax.
Var. /3. Length 4 lines. The colouring more obscure, the
black hairs more predominant, intermixing with the pubescence
on the legs.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. The pubescence like that of the large-
sized worker ; the mandibles fringed with stiff curled fuscous
hairs ; the antennae as long as the thorax, the joints subarcuate ;
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 215
the abdomen rather more elongate than in the worker, the ex-
treme apex having a mixture of fuscous pubescence. B.M.
The female of this species is easily distinguished from B. mus-
corum ; its general colouring is different ; its thorax has a much
more rich fulvous pubescence ; that on the abdomen is paler,
and not subject to vary in colouring ; the pale corbicula is also
a good characteristic difference. The workers usually very closely
resemble the female, but in var. ft. is pointed out a very close
approach to the worker of B. muscorum ; this variety is not
uncommon at Southend, but it appears to be local. Females
received from Perthshire are exceedingly bright in colouring.
3. Boxnbus Smithianus.
B. hirsuto-ater; thorace supra fulvo; abdomine supra flaves-
centi, basi anguste nigro.
Bombus arcticus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 50. 32. f. 20 ? ? (nee
Kirby, Parry's 1st Voy.}.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 476. 13.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 228. 2.
Bombus Smithianus, White, Proc. Linn. Soc. 1851 ; Ann. fy Mag.
Nat. Hist. x. new ser. p. 294.
Female. Length 8-10 lines. The head clothed with black pu-
bescence, sometimes with a little pale pubescence on the margin
of the vertex, and a few pale hairs at the insertion of the an-
tennae. Thorax clothed above with rufo-fulvous pubescence,
that on the sides, beneath, and also that on the legs, black.
Abdomen : the margin of the basal segment above, and the
entire abdomen beneath, have a black pubescence ; the pubes-
cence on the second and third segments somewhat rufo-fulvous,
that on the following segments paler yellow. B.M.
Yar. /3. The basal segment with pale pubescence at the sides,
the basal margin alone having a few black hairs ; the fringe of
the corbicula above more or less obscure fulvous.
Worker. Length 4-7 lines. This sex exactly resembles the
female ; the black hairs at the base of the abdomen are however
usually obsolete. B.M.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. This sex has more or less white pu-
bescence on the clypeus, the beard on the mandibles fuscous,
and the antennas as long as the thorax; the posterior tibiae
have a pale fringe above. B.M.
216 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This species was first discovered in this country by Mr. Adam
White, who brought two specimens from Shetland : subse-
quently a nest was obtained, which was received at a time when
all the sexes were found in it ; it contained about ten males, a
dozen females, and thirty workers. Not having seen the B. arc-
ticus of Dahlbom, a doubt is added to the quotation.
The name given to this species by Dahlbom cannot be retained,
Kirby having used it for a species of this genus brought from
the Arctic regions by Captain Parry on his first voyage.
4. Bombus fragrans.
B. hirsutus, ater, supra flavus ; thorace fascia atra.
Apis fragrans, Pallas, It. i. 474. 75 $ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Avgl. ii. 329. 83 $ .
Apis pratorum, Falr.Ent. Syst. ii. 322. 34.
Bombus pratorum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 349. 36.
Bornbus fragrans, Illig. Mag. v. 165. 10.
Dahlb. bomb. Scand. p. 46. 26. f. 16.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 464. 9.
Drews. # Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 171. 17.
Smith, Zool. ii. 545. 3.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 229. 6.
Female. Length 8-10 lines. Head : the face has a pale fulvous
pubescence, more or less obscure and intermixed with black
hairs; the pubescence on the thorax above yellow, more or
less inclining to fulvous, and having a band of black pubescence
between the wings ; the pubescence on the legs is also black.
Abdomen clothed with bright yellow pubescence, having usually
more or less of a fulvous tinge towards the base. B.M.
Worker. Length 5-7 lines. Excepting in size, there is no
difference between the workers and females. B.M.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. Closely resembling the worker, but
having the pubescence- on the face and cheeks paler, the an-
tennas as long as the thorax, the abdomen narrower and more
elongate. B.M.
This species is rare in the south and south-western counties,
but appears to be plentiful in the north. In Yorkshire, parti-
cularly in hilly districts, it occurs plentifully ; I have only once
met with its nest, which exactly resembles that of B. muscorum,
but its communities are much smaller.
BEES OP GREAT BRITAIN. 21?
5. Bombus sylvarum,
B. hirsuto-flavescens ; thoracis fascia, abdominisque cingulis
nigris, ano fulvo.
Apis sylvarum, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 425. no. 1713; Syst. Nat. i>
960. 45 $ , Sf type in Cab. Linn. Soc.
Scop. Ent. Cam. no. 822.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 321. 27; Ent. Syst, ii. 321. 27.
Schrank, Ins. Austr. no. 807.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 906.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 326. 82. t. 17. f. 15 ? , 16 <? .
Bremus sylvarum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85. 19 ?
Bombus sylvarum, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 348. 27.
Latr". Hist. Nat. xiv. 65. 8.
Illig. Mag. v, 164. 9.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 131. 6.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 44. 24.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 463. 8.
Drews, # Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 109. 4
Smith, Zool. ii. 546. 4.
Nyland. Ap. Borebl. p. 236. 22.
Bombus veteranus, Fabr. Syst* Piez* p. 352. 52 (worker).
Huber's Observ. Linn. Trans, vi. 227, t. 25, f. 13-18.
Female. Length 8 lines. The head has a short yellow pubes-
cence, that on the vertex black. Thorax : the pubescence on
the disk black ; anteriorly, posteriorly, on the sides, beneath,
and also on the legs, it is pale yellow ; the tarsi beneath
have a short ferruginous pubescence; the claws ferruginous.
Abdomen : the basal segment clothed with pale yellow pu-
bescence, most dense at the sides; on the second segment
it is black, the posterior and lateral margins fringed with pale
yellow ; on the third it is black, the margins being fringed with
pale yellow ; on the three following segments it is fulvous, the
margins being fringed with pale hairs. B.M.
Worker. Length 6-7 lines. Differs very little, except in size,
from the female ; it has, however, usually a greater mixture of
pale pubescence, and the apex of the abdomen is not so bright
a red. B.M.
Male. Length 6 lines. Closelyresemblest.be other sexes ; the
mandibles fringed with fusco-ferruginous hairs, the antennae as
long as the thorax, and the apex of the abdomen usually as
bright as in the female. B.M.
There is no species more constant in its colouring than this
beautiful bee ; its nest is to be found in similar situations to
L
218 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
that of B. muscorum, but it has been observed to prefer open
spaces in woods. The hum of the worker is more shrill than
that of any other species of the genus ; it closely resembles that
of Saropoda bimaculata. The species is found in all parts of the
United Kingdom : examples have been received from various
parts of Scotland and Ireland.
6. Bombus lapponicus.
B. hirsutus, ater ; thorace flavescente, fascia nigra ; abdomine
rufo, ano flavescente.
Apis lapponica, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 253. t. 1. f. 3.
Quenzel, Acerbi's Trav. in Lapl. ii. 253. t. 1. f. 3.
Bombus lapponicus, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 345. 11.
Ahrens, Faun. Eur. 10. 18.
Dahlb. Bomb, Scand. 41. 18.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 474. 10.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 459. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 235. 20.
Apis flavicollis, Sowerby, Brit. Miscett. i. 39. t. 19 $ .
Bombus regelationis, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. 327 (nee Panz.}.
Bombus montanus, Smith, Zool. ii. 549. 13 (nee St. Farg.).
Bombus monticola, Smith, Zool. Append, p. 59.
Female. Length 7-9 lines. The pubescence on the head,
thorax, legs, and abdomen beneath, black ; the thorax in front,
and the scutellum more or less clothed with yellow pubescence.
The basal segment of the abdomen above, and the second more
or less at the base in the middle, black ; the following seg-
ments clothed with bright fulvous, more or less yellow at the
apex. B.M.
Var. j3. The scutellum entirely black.
Worker. Length 4-6 lines. Exactly resembles the female in
colour, but the abdomen is usually less inclined to yellow*
B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. Bears a very close resemblance to
the other sexes, but has a yellow pubescence on the clypeus,
some yellow hairs intermixed on the vertex, and the thorax be-
neath has also a mixture of yellow hairs ; the antennae scarcely
as long as the thorax, the mandibles fringed with fuscous pubes-
cence. B.M.
An examination of a series of all the sexes of this bee, and
also of specimens from northern Europe, leaves no doubt of its
being the B. lapponicus of the Continent. British examples are
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 219
usually smaller than continental ones, but that they are identical
is certain. This is a very local species, but has been taken
plentifully at the Black Mountain, Llantony Abbey, Brecknock-
shire, South Wales ; it also occurs in Herefordshire and Mon-
mouthshire, and has been captured on Halifax Moor, and on the
hills in that district ; it is also found in some abundance at Loch
Rannoch in Perthshire. It frequents elevated situations, and is
a very active insect, passing with great rapidity from flower to
flower.
7. Bombus Derhamellus.
B. hirsutus, ater, corbicula anoque fulvis. Mas, fusco-cine-
rascens, ano fulvo, thorace inter alas abdominisque fascia
atris.
Apis Derhamella, Kirby, Man. Ap. Angl. ii. 363. 105 $ , and type
in Cab. Ent. Soc.
Apis Raiella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 367. 107 $ , and Cab. Ent.
Soc.
Bombus Raiellus, Illig. Mag. \. 169. 29.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 33. 4.
Drews, fy Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 115. 9.
Smith, Zool. ii. 550. 15.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal. 238. 26.
Bombus Derhameilus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 44. 23 <? .
Bombylius minor, Ray, Hist. Ins. p. 246. 2.
Female. Length 6^-8 lines. The body clothed with black pu-
bescence, that on the three apical segments rufo-fulvous ; the
corbicula on the posterior tibiae rufo-fulvous, the apical joints
of the tarsi ferruginous. B.M.
Worker. Length 4|-6 lines. Differs only in size, having the
corbicula rufo-fulvous as in the female. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The pubescence on the head black,
more or less fuscous on the clypeus, the mandibles fringed with
ferruginous pubescence. Thorax clothed above with obscure
fuscous-yellow pubescence, that between the wings black ; the
tibise and tarsi ciliated with rufous hairs ; the tarsi ferruginous
beneath, the claws ferruginous. Abdomen : the two basal seg-
ments clothed with obscure flavo-fuscous pubescence, that on
the third segment black, and that on the remainder rufo-ful-
vous. B.M.
Var. j3. The pubescence on the second segment of the abdomen
bright yellow.
220 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Var. y. The thorax fringed with yellow pubescence, that on the
two basal segments of the abdomen yellow.
Tar. 8. The abdomen entirely covered with obscure flavo-fuscous
pubescence.
Var. 6. The abdomen almost entirely fulvous.
The male is described of the colour most usually met with,
but it is very variable, and interminable shades of variety occur.
The species occurs in all parts of the kingdom, but is certainly
most abundant in the north, where its nests are very commonly
met with in hay-fields and pastures ; they have also been taken
near London on banks, from which many varieties of the males
have been obtained ; but no varieties have been observed of the
other sexes, nor have any of the Apathi been found in the nests.
The colonies are not very numerous, nor is the species very
pugnacious, their nests may be taken with little danger.
8. Bombus pratonim.
B. hirsutus, ater; thorace antice sulphureo-flavo ; abdominis
segmento secundo fascia subinterrupta flava. Mas, hirsuto-
flavus ; thorace postice nigro marginato -, abdomine fascia atra,
ano fulvo.
Apis pratorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. no. 1711 ; Syst. Nat. i. 960.
43 , and type in Cab. Linn. Soc.
Schrank, Ins. Aust. no. 798.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 360. 103.
Apis collaris, Scop. Ent. Cam. no. 818 ?
Apis subinterrupta, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 356. 99 .
Apis Donovanella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 357. 100. 1. 18 (f. 6 $
var).
Apis Burrellana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 358. 101 $ .
Bombus subinterruptus, Latr. Hist. Nat, xiv. 64. 4.
Illig. Mag. v. 167. 20.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 35, 7.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 461. 5.
Drews. 8f Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 111. 7.
Bombus Burrellanus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 43. 22 $ .
Bombus pratorum, Illig. Mag. v. 168. 27.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 36. 9 $ .
Drews, 8f Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. p. 111. 7.
Smith, Zool. ii. 548. 11 $ ? .
Bombus ephippium, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 37. 10.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 473. 6.
Bombus Donovanella, Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. p. 255. t. 17.
f.l<?.
Bombus lullianus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 236. 21 <? .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 221
Female. Length 6-8 lines. The pubescence on the head and
thorax black, that on the latter in front of the wings, above,
fulvous-yellow. Abdomen: the first and third segments clothed
with black pubescence, the second with fulvous-yellow, and
the apical segments with fulvous ; the yellow band subinter-
rupted. B.M.
Var. ft. The black band covering the third and fourth seg-
ments. (A. subinterrupta, Kirby.)
Var. y. The yellow band entire.
Worker. Length 4-5 lines. The pubescence black, that in
front of the wings, on the thorax above, yellow. Abdomen :
the second segment having a narrow yellow fascia at its basal
margin; the two apical segments rufo-fulvous. B.M.
Var. ft. The yellow pubescence on the second segment of the
abdomen obsolete, and having only the extreme apex red.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The pubescence on the head yellow,
intermixed on the sides of the face and on the vertex with fus*
cous hairs ; the fringe on the mandibles rufo-fulvous. Thorax:
the pubescence before the wings yellow, behind it is black, some-
times having a mixture of yellow hairs on the scutellum ; the
pubescence on the two basal segments of the abdomen yellow,
on the third and fourth it is black, and on the rest it is ful-
vous. B.M.
Var. ft. The black pubescence thickly intermixed with yellow,
which in some lights gives the insect an entirely yellow ap-
pearance.
The different sexes and varieties of this bee have been de-
scribed as forming no less than six distinct species ; and indeed
in this difficult genus, nothing but the examination of the bees
found in numerous nests would convince any one of the possi-
bility of some of the varieties not belonging to distinct species.
The female described is the A. Donovanella of Kirby, being
the most highly-coloured form ; var. y. appears to be not at all
uncommon in Wales, from whence I received it. Of the worker,
var. ft. is the A. pratorum of Linnaeus. The male has been
supposed to be identical with the Apis Cullumana of Kirby, but
it is quite distinct. The male described as belonging to this
species by Kirby is that of Apathus rupestris, and his var. ft.
is the female of B. lucorum.
This species is found in all parts of the kingdom ; its nest
frequently occurs on Hampstead Heath, under furze bushes, and
also on banks. Apathus Barbutellus has been bred from its nest,
but it does not always occur. Mr. Walcott and Mr. Grant have
both found the same Apathus parasitic upon it.
222 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
9. Bombus nivalis.
B. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice, segmentisque duobus primis
abdominis tiavis ; ano flavo vel fulvescenti.
Apis alpina, Fabr. (Of ho) Faun. Green, p. 199. 155 (nee Linn.}.
Bombus nivalis, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 40. 16 $ .
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 474. 7.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 234. 17.
Bombus balteatus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 36. 8.
Bombus tricolor, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 40. 17.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 474. 9.
Female. Length 8 lines. The pubescence black ; the thorax
above before the insertion of the wings, the scutellum, and the
two basal segments of the abdomen, yellow ; the three apical
segments of a fulvous-yellow. B.M.
Male. Length 6 lines. This sex differs in having the pubes-
cence longer than in the female ; the face has a yellow pubes-
cence, and the black band on the abdomen occupies the third
and fourth segments ; the body beneath entirely covered with
long pale pubescence. B.M.
Professor Boheman says this species differs in having the
apex of the abdomen sometimes fulvous and at other times
yellow ; Dr. Nylander also points out these varieties ; the yellow
bands are also sometimes less bright and distinct. These va-
riations constitute three of Dr. Dahlbom's species, as shown
above.
This fine addition to our fauna was made in 1852 ; it was dis-
covered at Lerwick, in Shetland, and is the second species of
Bombus, previously unknown as British, which has been received
from the same locality. Were this group of islands well searched
by some competent entomologist, there can be little doubt of
still further additions being made, in all probability B. alpinus
amongst the number.
10. Bombus Scrimshirairas.
B. hirsutus, ater ; facie brevi, triangulari ; thorace antice, scutello
abdominisque basi flavis, ano albo.
Apis Scrimshirana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 342. 92 2 , and type
in Cab. Ent. Soc.
Bombus Scrimshiranus, Illig. Mag. v. 166. 18.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 39. 13.
Drews, fy Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 118. 12.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 223
Bombus Scrimshiranus, Smith, Zool ii. 547.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 232. 12.
Apis Jonella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 338. 90 <J ?
Female. Length 7-8 lines. The pubescence black, that on the
margin of the vertex, thorax anteriorly, scutelluru, and basal
segment of the abdomen, yellow ; that on the three apical seg-
ments white ; the scopa on the posterior tibiae ferruginous ;
the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-piceous. B.M.
Worker. Length 5-6 lines. Excepting size, there is no dif-
ference between this and the female. B.M.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The pubescence on the face yellow,
the antennae as long as the thorax ; the pubescence on the
thorax in front, that on the scutellum and basal segment of the
abdomen, yellow, sometimes of a fulvous-yellow ; the pubes-
cence on the three following segments black, the apex white ;
the entire insect beneath has a white or pale yellow pubes-
cence. B.M.
Var. /3. The two basal segments yellow.
This very distinct species is rare in the vicinity of London ; it
was met with in 1827 at Coomb Wood, at that time a favourite
resort of the entomologist; it was again taken in 1854 by Mr.
Grant on Putney Heath ; it appears to be tolerably abundant in
Wales, and has been received from Loch Rannoch in Perthshire ;
Mr. Syme found if in Orkney. Dr. Nylander states that it is
frequent in Finland ; and M. Schiodte takes it in Denmark,
from whence he supplied me with specimens.
11. Bombus collinus.
B. mas, hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice flavo, abdomine basi flavo,
medio nigro-fasciato, apice albo, pilis apicalibus basi rufo-
fulvis.
Bombus collinus, Smith, Zool. ii. 548. 17#; Cat. Hym. Acul.
p. 104. 14.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The face clothed with black pubes-
cence, that on the cheeks inclining more or less to yellow ; the
thorax before the insertion of the wings, the sides and breast
beneath, clothed with yellow pubescence ; the pubescence which
fringes the femora more or less obscurely yellow ; the thorax
behind the collar black, the third segment of the abdomen
also clothed with black pubescence, as well as the legs ; the
224 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN,
apex of the abdomen white, separated from the black band by
a narrow band of fulvous pubescence. B.M.
Yar. /3. The face having a mixture of obscure yellow pubes-
cence.
Only a single example of this species was known for some
years, it was taken at Westow in Yorkshire; it was thought it
might prove a rare variety of B. terrestris, until Mr. Walcott
captured several on the Downs near Bristol, and received others
from the Brighton Downs ; an examination of numerous indi-
viduals shows it to be a distinct species : the formation of the
generative organs separates it from all our known British species.
Mr. Hey sham captured a fine series in Cumberland, and also
examples of a worker bee which probably belongs to this spe-
cies ; it has the tip of the abdomen white* bordered with a faint
band of fulvous hairs. Mr. Walcott once possessed a female,
which he has by some accident lost : his recollection of it is,
that it was the size of B. Scrimshiranus ; the fourth segment
of the abdomen had deeper-coloured fulvous hairs than in the
12. Bombus terrestris.
jB. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice, abdominis fascia media, anoque,,
flavis.
Apis terrestris, Linn. Favn. Suec. p. 424. no. 1709 $ , and type sp.
in Cab. Lmn. Soc. ; Syst. Nat. i. 960. 41.
Don. Brit. Ins. iii. 41. t. 88. f. 1.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Anal, (var. y & e ^ ) ; Specim. in Cab. Ent*
Soc.
Bombus terrestris, Wesiw. Nat. JM)r. xxxviii. 243. 1. 14.
Smith, Zool. ii. 547. 10, and Cat. Brit. Acul. Hym .103.
lie? ? $*
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 262. 7 (nee var.).
Reaum. Ins* vi. Mem. 1st. 2. t. 3. f. 1.
Female. Length 9-11 lines. The pubescence black, the collar
orange-yellow ; the second segment of the abdomen has a
band of the same colour, the fifth segment and apical margin
of the fourth clothed with pale fulvous pubescence, the sixth
naked. B.M.
Worker. Length 6-7 lines. Closely resembles the female, but
the yellow bauds are frequently of a paler tint; the apical
segments have white instead of tawny pubescence, but the
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 225
white is always mixed more or less with fulvous hairs at its junc-
tion with the black fascia. B.M.
Male. Length 7-8 lines. The pubescence on the head entirely
black, the collar and second segment of the abdomen clothed
with pubescence of an orange-yellow, usually rather brighter
than in the females ; the apex of the abdomen clothed with
pale tawny hairs, sometimes white at the extreme apex. B.M.
Relying on an examination of the typical specimen in the
Linnaean Cabinet, which agrees with our insect, I conclude that
authors hitherto have been misled by the description in the
* Fauna Suecica ' : " Abdomen antice nigrum, dein flavum, medio
nigrum, postice album " the latter being pale yellow in the
typical specimen. Kirby appears to have considered the bee
with the tawny apex to the abdomen distinct from that with
the white one, which is the female of B. lucorum, but still with
some doubt ; and on being informed by Mr. Trimmer that he had
found both in the same nest, he at once reduced it to a mere
variety. Having repeatedly taken entire broods of nearly all
our Bombi, I have learnt, that the fact of finding one or two
specimens of a distinct species mixed with a brood, can only be
regarded as accidental : thus, amongst the moss-building species
it is not an uncommon occurrence to find workers of jB. muscorum
in nests of B. sylvarum. I have taken many nests of B. terrestris,
but never found the female of B. lucorum in one ; nevertheless it
may occasionally occur. If any doubt could possibly exist of the
female described being distinct from the bee with the white ab-
dominal apex, the fact of my having obtained upwards of 50
females and 100 males, all agreeing with the above descriptions,
from the same nest, and also having captured several pairs in
coitu, must set the. matter at rest : and it may also be observed,
that all authors agree in describing B. lucorum $ , but none have
described its female.
This species is found in all parts of the United Kingdom ; its
colonies are more numerous than those of any other Bombus
found in this country : in one nest were found 107 males, 56 fe-
males, and 180 workers. They burrow sometimes to a consi-
derable depth, or probably avail themselves in many instances
of some ready-formed entrance, as nests have been found nearly
five feet from the entrance, in banks of light earth.
13. Bombus lucorum.
B. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice. abdominisque fascia flavis, ano
L5
226 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
albo. Mas, supra flavus, thoracis fascia nigra ; abdorainis
fasciis obsoletis nigris ; ano albo.
Apis lucorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 427. no, 1716 $ , and type in
Cab. Linn. Soc. ; Syst. Nat. i. 961. 48.
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 322. 35 ; Syst. Piez. p. 350. 37.
Schrank, Ins.Aust. p. 401. 808.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl ii. 336. 89.
Apis terrestris, Christ. Hym. p. 127. t. 7. f. 2 ? .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 350 (nee var. y & e $ ).
Apis caespitum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 31. 19 $ .
Apis virginalis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Anol.ii. 349. 95, and type in Cab.
Ent. Soc. (worker).
Bombus terrestris, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64. 1 ? .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 343. 4.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 34. 5. f. 5.
Zett. Ins. Lapp. p. 473. 4.
St. Fary. Hym. i. 467. 13.
Drews, fy Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 1 18. 12.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 232. 13.
Bombus lucorum, Smith, Zool. ii. 516. 6^ $ $.
Female. Length 8-9 lines. The pubescence black, the thorax
anteriorly and the second segment of the abdomen clothed with
yellow pubescence ; the three apical segments snow-white.
B.M.
Worker. Length 4-6 lines. The colouring of the pubescence
as in the female. B.M.
Male. Length 5^-8 lines. The face, thorax in front, the scu-
tellum, and two basal segments of the abdomen clothed with
yellow pubescence, the three apical segments white ; beneath,
the pubescence is yellowish-white ; the tibiae are fringed with
pale yellow hairs, the apical joints of the tarsi rufo-piceous.
B.M.
Var. )3. The black band between the wings nearly obsolete; the
black band on the abdomen intermixed with yellow hairs, sub-
obsolete.
The var. . agrees with the typical specimen in the Limiffian
Cabinet ; the yellow in this species is lemon-coloured, which
alone distinguishes it from B. terrestris. Specimens of the
male from the north of Scotland are sometimes almost entirely
yellow. All the sexes have been obtained from the nest by
Mr. Walcott, who bred them and kindly furnished me with ex-
amples. The female makes her appearance earlier in the spring
than B. terrestris 9 and is found in all parts of the United
Kingdom.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 227
14. Bombus soroensis.
B. hirsutus, ater; abdominis segmento secundo utrinque obso-
lete flavo, ano albo. Mas, pallidus ; ano roseo-albo ; thorace
abdomineque singulis fascia atra.
Apis soroensis, Fair. Ent. Syst. ii. 318. 12 .
Panz. Faun. Germ. 7. 11.
Bombus soroensis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 345. 10.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 43. 22.
Drews. fy Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 112. 8. t. 2. f. e $ ,/$ .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 239. 28.
Apis neutra, Panz. Faun. Germ. 83. 18; Krit. Revis. ii. 259 .
Bombus neutra, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 347. 24.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 469. 15.
Apis Cullumana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 359. 102 $ .
Bremus sylvarum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85. 19.
Bombus Cullumanus, Smith, Zool. ii. 548. 11.
Bombus Burrellanus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 43. 22 ? (nee Kirby).
St. Farg. Hym. i. p. 462. 6 $ .
Drews, fy Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 112. 8.t. 2. f. 7 e,f (nee
Kirby).
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 240 (nee Kirby).
Female. Length 7-8 lines. The pubescence black, the tip of
the abdomen white; the white pubescence is separated from
the black by a mixture of reddish-yellow hairs. B.M.
Var. . The second segment of the abdomen has laterally a little
yellow pubescence.
Var. y. The thorax yellow in front, the second abdominal seg-
ment having laterally a tuft of yellow pubescence.
Var. 6\ The thorax yellow in front ; the abdomen black, apex
of the abdomen yellowish-white.
Var. e. The thorax anteriorly obsoletely yellow, the second ab-
dominal segment obsoletely yellow laterally ; the apex yellow-
ish-white.
Worker. Length 5-7 lines. The pubescence black, apex of the
abdomen yellowish-white.
Var. /3. The apex of the abdomen fulvous.
Var. y. The thorax in front and the abdomen on each side at
the base yellow ; apex reddish-yellow.
Male. Length 5-6 lines. The pubescence pale yellow ; the
vertex and cheeks have a black pubescence ; a black fascia be-
tween the wings, and the third segment of the abdomen clothed
with black pubescence, that on the four apical segments ferru-
ginous ; beneath, the pubescence is pale yellow. B.M.
Var. j3. The yellow fascia on the abdomen subinterrupted.
228 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Above are enumerated such varieties as appear absolutely
necessary to mention, but it must be borne in mind that inter-
mediate ones undoubtedly occur. The male of this species has
been long known as the A. Cullumana of Kirby ; but the insect
was very rarely seen in collections. Mr. Walcott obtained
several from the Brighton Downs, and also captured it in the
vicinity of Bristol; but it was not until 1853 that I became
aware of the fact that B. Cullumanus is the male of the true
B. soroensis of Fabricius: this was communicated to me by
M. Schiodte of Copenhagen. The bee which in this country had
been supposed to be identical with the B. soroensis of Fabricius,
is one of the varieties of B. subterraneus : the true species is
much smaller than any example of B. subterraneus. During the
month of August 1854, I met with jB. soroensis for the first time
at Southend, and obtained all the sexes in that locality : having
diligently collected during the last twenty years, without meet-
ing with this species, it is probable that it is extremely local,
and that its communities are small. Dr. Nylander regarded
the A. Burrellana of Kirby as the male of B. soroensis; and
although it has a very similarly coloured pubescence, it is seen to
be very different on comparison ; its pubescence is much longer,
and the different colours are less distinctly separated ; it is also
usually smaller, the yellow bands are of a deeper colour, and
the insect is altogether less compact in appearance. The male
when in fine condition is perhaps the most beautiful of all our
Bombi; its short dense pubescence and distinctly contrasted
colours at once divide it from the male of B. pratorum.
15. Bombus lapidarius.
B. hirsutus, ater, auo rufo-fulvo. Mas, facie, thortice antice et
scutello flavis.
Apis lapidaria, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 424. no. 1712; Syst. Nat. i.
960. 44, and type in Cab. Linn. Sw. ? .
Fill. Ent. Eur. iii. no. 98.
Scop. Ent. Cam. p. 305. no. 813. f. 813. 1.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 381. 14 ; Ent. Syst. ii. 329. 25 ; Syst. Piez.
p. 347. 25.
Schrank, Ins. Amir. p. 396. no. 799.
Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 449. 22.
Christ. Hym. p. 126. t. 7. f . 1 ? .
Don. Eng. Ins. iii. 97. t, 108. f. 1 ? . t. 58. f. 2 $ .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. AitgL ii. 363 106 $ ? .
Apicis pertristis, Harris, Expos. Eny. Ins. p. 137. t. 40. f. 14 <.
Apicis opts, Harris, idem, p. 137. t. 40. f. 12 J .
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 229
Apis coronata, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 449. 23 $ .
Apis arbustorura, Fair, Ent. Syst. ii. 320. 24 $ ; Syst. Piez. p. 347.
23.
Bremus truncornm, Panz. Faun. Germ. 85. 21 ^ .
Bremus regelationis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 86. 1 7 <J ?
Bombus lapidarius, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64. 2 ? .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 347. 25.
pm. /ras. Lzy. fasc. i. 130. 4.
. Scand. 30. 1.
#. Hym. i. 460. 3.
/, Exped. Sc. de More'e, p. 528. 729.
Drews. Sf Schiodte, Kroij. Tidsskr. ii, 116. 11.
Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. 252. t. 16. f. 1 <J , 2 ? .
Smith, Zool. ii. 549. 14.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 238. 25.
Bombus Lefebvrei, St. Farg. Hym. i. 461. 4, type sp. in Colt.
Westw. (var.)
Female. Length 10 lines. Densely clothed with black pubes-
cence, the three apical segments clothed with rufo-fulvous pu-
bescence; the legs rufo-testaceous beneath, the tarsi clothed
beneath with ferruginous pubescence, the apical joints rufo-
testaceous ; the wings subhyaline, faintly clouded at their apex.
B.M.
Var. /3. The collar having an indistinct yellow band.
Worker. Length 5-6J lines. There is no other difference ex-
cept size between the worker and the female. B.M.
Male. The pubescence black, that on the face, margin of the
vertex and collar yellow ; the scutellum and basal segment of
the abdomen have a mixture of yellow hairs ; the four apical
segments bright rufo-fulvous; the femora fringed with long
pale yellow hairs, the posterior tibiae and the tarsi fringed with
ferruginous hairs. B.M.
Var. j3. The scutellum and basal segment of the abdomen en-
tirely black.
Var. y. The abdomen having merely a few red hairs on the
apical margins of the three apical segments.
Var. 6\ The apex in certain lights has only a faint tinge of red.
The variety of the female is extremely rare ; only a single spe-
cimen has been captured, at Sandwich, Kent ; it is the B. Le-
febvrei of St. Fargeau ; I have had an opportunity of examining
the typical specimen through the kindness of Mr. Westwood, in
whose possession are many of the type specimens of St. Fargeau' s
and Latreille's bees. The varieties y. and 6\ $ are also very
rarely met with ; three specimens occurred in August 1854
230 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
at Southend, where the insect abounds. The species is dis-
tributed over all parts of the United Kingdom, although it is
scarce in some districts; specimens have been received from
North and South Wales, and from Moffat and Perth in Scotland ;
those from the latter locality are remarkable for the vivid red-
ness of the pubescence on the apical segments of the abdomen.
Specimens have also occurred in various parts of Ireland.
Although this bee may prefer constructing its nest under
stones, still it will be frequently found in banks and at the roots
of trees.
16. Bombus hortorum.
B. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice, scutello, abdominisque basi,
flavis ; ano albo ; capite elongate.
Apis hortorum, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 424. no. 1710 ; Syst. Nat. i.
960. 42, and type in Cab. Linn. Soc. ? .
Schrank, Ins. Ami. p. 395. 797.
Bombus hortorum, Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv. 65. 5 $ .
Illig.Mag.v. 166. 17.
WalcJc. Ins. Par. ii. 146.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 38. 12 <? ? .
St. Faro. Hym. i. 466. 12.
Brulle, Exped. Sc. de Moree, iii. 328. 731.
Drews, fy Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 120. 16.
Smith, Zool ii. 546. 7.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 231. 11.
Huber, Obs. p. 226. t. 25. f. 10-12.
Female. Length 10 lines. The pubescence black; the collar,
scutellum and basal segment of the abdomen densely clothed
with sulphur-yellow pubescence, that on the three apical seg-
ments white ; the face elongate ; the tongue nearly as long as
the body. B.M.
Worker. Length 5-6 lines. The colour as in the female.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. The distribution of colour as in the
other sexes, the apical segment having black pubescence ; the
mandibles bearded with black hairs. B.M.
I have not observed any varieties in the sexes of this species ;
it is universally distributed, and is most abundant and easily
distinguished. I formerly regarded the B. ruder atus of Fabri-
cius as synonymous with this, but it is certainly distinct ; it
differs from B. hortorum in having the pubescence longer, the
second segment being fringed, or sometimes entirely covered with
BEES OF GREAT BRTTAIN. 231
a mixture of reddish-yellow hairs ; the tongue is proportionally
shorter, and the insect altogether larger. Mr. Wollaston found
it abundantly in Madeira.
17. Bombus Latreillellus.
B. hirsutus, ater; thorace antice, scutello, abdominisque basi
flavo-fulvescentibus ; ano albo. Mas, supra flavescens ; tho-
race inter alas abdominisque cingulis duobus subnigris.
Apis Latreillella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 330. 84 $ , and type in
Cab. Ent. Soc* Lond.
Apis Tunstallana, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 346. 94 , and type
in Cab. Ent. Soc. Lond.
Bombus Latreillellus, Illig. Mag. v. 165. 11 $ .
Dahlb. Bomb. Scmtd. p. 39. 14 $ .
Drews, fy Schwdte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 120. 16 <? .
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 234. 18 <J .
Smith, Cat. Brit. Hym. p. 103. 10 (? $ .
Nyland. Revis. Ap. Boreal, p. 261. 4.
Bombus Tunstallanus, Drews. Sc Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 119.
14?.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 231. 10.
Female. Length 10 lines. The pubescence black, that on the
collar and scutellum of a fulvous-yellow ; the basal segment of
the abdomen has on each side a little fulvous-yellow pubes-
cence ; the apical margin of the third segment, and the fourth
and fifth have a little white pubescence, the apical one naked
above ; the apical margin of the second segment has usually an
obscure mixture of pale hairs ; beneath, the third, fourth and
fifth segments are fringed with pale pubescence. B.M.
Var. /3. The base of the abdomen with an entire fascia of ful-
vous-yellow pubescence.
Var. y. The base of the abdomen black.
Worker. Length 5-7 lines. The pubescence black, the collar
has a fulvous-yellow band, the scutellum only an obscure yellow
t fringe; the abdomen white at the apex, the second and third
segments have a more or less conspicuous white fringe. B.M.
Male. Length 6-8 lines. The pubescence on the head black ;
the face has sometimes an obscure mixture of pale hairs. Tho-
rax : above yellow, having a broad black fascia between the
wings ; the sides usually obscurely cinereous. Abdomen : the
pubescence yellow, the second and third segments with a band
of black pubescence at their base, the second usually narrowest ;
232 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
the sixth segment has a mixture of black pubescence in the
middle. B.M.
Var. ft. The black fasciae on the abdomen subobsolete, the ab-
domen and thorax beneath subcinereous.
The sexes of this species, particularly the females and workers,
are difficult to separate from those of B. subterraneus, an4
offer few characters which can be pointed out, whereby they
may be distinguished, and yet the males and females of the two
species may be readily separated ; the females have a shorter
pubescence, and their abdomen has a more or less distinct pale
fringe on the second and third segments, and all the indivi-
duals obtained from a nest, and also others captured in coitu,
have the fourth and fifth segments white, unmixed with fuscous
hairs, the apex being naked. The variety of the male having
the black bands of the abdomen subobsolete, approaches very
closely to B. fragrans, but the head is broader, and the yellow
pubescence is of a lemon tint, not fulvous as in B.fragrans. The
worker described is from a specimen taken from the nest; some-
times they are nearly black, but retain the indistinct pale fringe
on the third and fourth abdominal segments : an anatomical
examination proves this male to be quite distinct from every
other male known.
This species is not common in the London district, but it is
to be found in the neighbourhood of Battersea, Fulham, Wands-
worth, and generally to the south of the Thames. At Shoebury,
below Southend, it abounds; here I met with its nidus, and
captured several pairs connected ; it is also very abundant on
the coast near Brighton, but no examples have been received
from the north of England.
18. Bombus subterraneus.
B. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice flavescenti, ano fusco, interdum
flavo-nigresceriti.
Apis subterranea, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 425. no. 1718, and type in
Cab. Linn. Soc. ; Syst. Nat. i. 961. 51 .
Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 322. 37.
Mailer, Prodr. Zool. Dan. 165. 1928.
Apis Harrisella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 373. 110. t. 18. f . 7 ? ,
%$.
Apis soroensis, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 354. 98 (nee Fabr.).
Bombus subterraneus, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 345. 10 .
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 38. no. 11.
Drews. ^ Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 116. 11.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 233
Bombus subterraneus, Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 239. 27.
Smith, Cat. Hym. Acul. p. 102. 9 <? ? .
Bombus Harrisellus, Westw. Nat. Libr. xxxviii. 256. t. 18. f . 1 <? .
Smith, Zool. ii. 550. 16.
Bombus soroensis, St. Farg. Hym. i. 468. 14.
Bombus flavo-nigrescens, Smith, Zool. iv. 1556.
Female. Length 9-10 lines. The pubescence black, the collar
having on each side a faint trace of yellow, a similar obscure
tinge of yellow on the lateral margins of the scutellum ; the
apical margin of the third segment of the abdomen and the
fourth clothed with fuscous or dirty-white pubescence, on the
fifth it is black ; beneath, the pubescence is black, towards the
apex at the sides it is fuscous. B.M.
Var. /3. The collar, scutellum, and sides of the basal segment
with bright fulvous-yellow pubescence ; the apex of the abdo-
men white, with a faint yellow tinge.
Var. y. The lateral margins of the scutellum very faintly tinged
with yellow, and the fourth segment of the abdomen obscurely
fuscous, with a faint yellow tinge.
Var. 6\ Entirely black, except the apex of the abdomen, which
is obscurely fuscous.
Var. 6. Totally black.
Worker. Length 5-8 lines. Differs in no respect from the
female, except in size ; in colour it undergoes the same varia-
tions. B.M.
Male. Length 6-8 lines. The pubescence black ; the collar,
scutellum, and basal segment of the abdomen yellow ; the fourth,
fifth and sixth white ; the mandibles bearded with ferruginous
hairs. B.M.
The male varies like the other sexes, becoming gradually
black, the most common form being that which is described.
It is very like the male of B. hortorum, from which however it
differs in having shorter pubescence, and in being a more com-
pact insect; the pubescence in B. hortorum is somewhat ragged;
they also differ in having the beard on the mandibles of different
colours, in B. hortorum it is black, in B. subterraneus it is fer-
ruginous.
The female greatly resembles that of B. hortorum, but its abdo-
men is of a different form, not so triangular, more rounded at the
sides and convex above ; but that which most easily separates
them is the tongue, which in B. subterraneus is proportionably
shorter. Variety 6\ is the JB. soroensis of St. Fargeau, as appears
upon an examination of the typical specimen in Mr. Westwood's
collection ; it is also the A. soroensis of Kirby ; the female, when
234 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
compared with that of B. hortorum, will be seen to have a thicker
and coarser pubescence ; but only a familiar acquaintance with
the Bombi will enable the student to discriminate several very
distinct species. This insect is not very abundant in the neigh-
bourhood of London, and is only occasionally met with. Mr.
Walcott finds it abundantly in the neighbourhood of Bristol, and
we are greatly indebted to him for his observations on this insect,
and for a fine series of examples presented to the Museum.
During the month of August 1853 and 1854 this insect occurred
in plenty at Southend, and thus an opportunity of observing it
presented itself. I obtained a highly coloured male in coitu with
the black variety, A. Harrisella, Kir by.
Genus 17, APATHUS.
Apis, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 317. 11 (1793).
Bombus, pt.,Fabr. Syst. Piez. 342 (1804).
Bremus, pt., Jurine, Hym. p. 257 (1807).
Apathus, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. p. 404 (1834).
Psithyrus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 424 (nee Hubner) (1841).
The characters are those of the genus Bombus, with the fol-
lowing difference. The posterior tibiae are destitute of corbi-
culae, and are exteriorly convex ; the basal joint of the posterior
tarsi has no tooth, at its base above; the apex of the abdo-
men curves under ; the apical segment beneath has the lateral
margins elevated. The males also have the posterior tibiae con-
vex externally.
Sexes two, male and female.
1. Apathus rupestris.
A. hirsutus, ater; alis nigricantibus, ano rufo-fulvo.
Apis rupestris, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 320. 26 $ .
Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 369. 108 $ .
Apis Albinella, Kirby, I. c. 361. 104 <J.
Apis frutetorura, Panz. Faun. Germ. 75. 18 $ .
Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 350. 38.
Bremus pomorum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 75. 18 $ ?
Bombus rupestris, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 348. 26 ? .
Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64. 3.
Psithyrus rupestris, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 426. 1.
Drews. 8f Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 125. 5.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. x. t. 468.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 241. 1.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 235
Psithyrus frutetorum, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 436. 5 $ .
Apathus rupestris, Smith, Zool. ii. 543. 1 <J ; Cat. Brit. Hym.
p. 97. 1.
Female. Length 10 lines. The pubescence black, the man-
dibles bearded with black pubescence ; the wings deep brown,
with a violet iridescence in certain lights ; the disk of the ab-
domen subpubescent, shining ; the fourth and two apical seg-
ments clothed with rufo-fulvous pubescence ; beneath, the basal
margins of the segments glossy, smooth and shining, the fifth
segment fringed with fulvous hairs. B.M.
Var. ft. The collar and scutellum obscurely yellow.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. The pubescence black ; the second
segment of the abdomen with a lateral tuft of cinereous
pubescence, the four apical segments clothed with rufo-fulvous
pubescence ; the tarsi and posterior tibiae fringed with fulvous
hairs ; the wings fusco-hyaline, the nervures fusco- ferruginous.
B.M.
Var. ft. The thorax anteriorly has a mixture of cinereous hairs ;
the first and second segments of the abdomen have a lateral
tuft of cinereous pubescence. (A. Albinella, Kirby.)
Var. y. The thorax anteriorly and posteriorly cinereous, the ab-
domen cinereous at the base. (A. frutetorum, Kirby.)
Var. 8. The thorax anteriorly and posteriorly and the basal seg-
ment of the abdomen covered with cinereous pubescence ; the
second and following segments have fulvous pubescence.
The variety of the female has not occurred in this country,
but it is met with on the continent ; it is probably the Apis are-
naria of Panzer. Of the male, var. ft. is the A. Albinella of
Kirby, var. y. the A. frutetorum of Panzer, and var. 8. probably
the A. pomorum of that author ; the latter variety is rare. The
species is occasionally met with in the London district, but it is
not abundant. The female once occurred in great numbers
at Coomb Wood, Surrey : the males are frequently met with,
and below Southend they have been observed in profusion
in the month of August : this species is probably the parasite of
B. lapidarius.
2. Apathus campestris.
A. hirsutus, ater; thorace antice, scutello anoque flavis; abdo-
minis apice acuminato inflexo.
Apis campestris, Panz. Faun. Germ. 74. 11 .
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 335. 88. t. 18. f. 2.
236 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Apis Rossiella, Kirby, 1. c. ii. 331. 85. 1. 18. f. 1 $ .
Apis Francisana, Kirby, L c. ii. 334. 87 #.
Apis Leeana, Kirby, 1. c. ii. 333. 86 $ .
Apis subterranea, Kirby, I. c. ii. 371. 109 3 .
Bombiis campestris, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 344. 7 ?
Illig. Mag. v. 173. 78.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 51. 34.
Bombus Francisanus, Illig. Mag. v. 165. 14^.
Bombus Rossiellus, Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. 40. 15 <J .
Psithyrus Rossiellus, Drews. Sf Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 123. 1.
t.ii.f.0<J.
Psithyrus campestris, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 433. 4 <j> .
Drews. Sf Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 123. 2.
Psithyrus Francisanus, Drews. 8{ Schiodte, Kroy. Tidskr. ii. 125.
**.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 241. 2.
Apathus campestris, Smithy Zoo/, ii. 543. 2 $ $ ; (7atf. UrzY. /fym.
p. 98. 3.
Female. Length 8-9 lines. The pubescence black ; the thorax
in front and the scutellum clothed with yellow pubescence ; the
three basal segments of the abdomen nearly naked in the mid-
dle, smooth and shining, having a thin black pubescence, most
dense at the sides ; the third, fourth and fifth segments clothed
with yellow pubescence, more or less interrupted in the middle ;
the wings fusco-hyaline, slightly clouded at their apex. B.M.
Var. /3. The pubescence on the scutellum black.
Var. y. The pubescence entirely black, having only a few fuscous
hairs at the apex of the abdomen.
Male. Length 6-8 lines. The pubescence golden-yellow ;
that on the face, cheeks, thorax beneath, and on the legs, black ;
the thorax has a black band between the wings, widest in the
middle of the disk ; the second segment of the abdomen clothed
with black pubescence ; the apical segment fringed with fus-
cous or black pubescence. (A. Rossiella, Kirby.) B.M.
Var. j3. The thorax in front yellow, the scutellum obscurely so ;
the two basal segments of the abdomen have black pubescence,
the third and three following have yellow, and the apical seg-
ment black pubescence. (A. Leeana, Kirby.)
Var. y. The pubescence entirely black, except the third, fourth
and fifth segments laterally, which have a deep yellow pubes-
cence; sometimes only on the fourth and fifth segments. (A.
Francisana, Kirby.)
Var. 8. The pubescence entirely black, the apex alone being
slightly fuscous. (A. subterranea, Kirby. )
Var. e. The thorax in front, the scutellum, and basal segment of
the abdomen, the third segment laterally, and the fourth and
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 23/
following segments having yellow pubescence, the extreme apex
black.
Variety /3. of the female is not frequently met with, and of
var. y. only two examples are known. Var. . of the male is a
very common form : possibly other varieties might be enume-
rated, but they will intervene between /3. and e. This is an
abundant insect in many situations ; in the London district it
is most numerous about Plumstead and Blackheath, being rather
scarce to the north of the Thames.
It appears to be widely distributed ; examples have been re-
ceived from Wales and Perthshire ; it is probably parasitic upon
Bombus hortorum.
3. Apathus Barbutellus,
A. hirsutus, ater; thorace antice, scutelloque, fulvis; abdomine
subgloboso, ano albo.
Apis Barbutella, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Anyl. ii. 343. 93. t. 18. f. 4 $ .
Psithyrus quadricolor, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 428. 2 <J .
Apathns Barbutellus, Smith, Zool. ii. 543. 3 ; Cat. Brit. Hym.
p. 99. 4.
Female. Length 7-9 lines. The pubescence black ; the thorax
anteriorly, the margin of the vertex, and the posterior margin
of the scutellum have a fulvous-yellow pubescence ; the wings
fuscous, the nervures nigro-piceous. Abdomen subglobose,
very convex above, shining, the pubescence sparing on the three
basal segments, that on the basal one intermixed with yellow ;
the fourth and fifth segments with white pubescence. B.M.
Var. j3. The scutellum and basal segment with black pubescence.
Male. Length 6-7 lines. The pubescence black ; the posterior
margin of the vertex, the thorax anteriorly, and the margin of
the scutellum have yellow pubescence; the abdomen subglo-
bose, the two basal segments shining, the base with a thin yel-
low pubescence, that on the third, fourth, and lateral margins
of the fifth, yellowish-white ; that on the fifth and basal margin
of the sixth black, the apex fulvous. B.M.
Var. j3. The pubescence on the scutellum entirely black.
This species is very abundant ; it is parasitic upon B. pratorum.
Mr. Walcott bred a number from the nest of that bee, and during
the autumn of 1854 I myself obtained it from the nidus of the
same insect. I suspect a difficulty has arisen in the discrimina-
238 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
tion of this species, in consequence of Kirby using the terras
" abdomen subtriangular " and " anus albus ; " the latter is ful-
vous, which in worn examples becomes white. I have used the
term subglobose in describing the abdomen of the male, and al-
though strictly it is subtriangular, still, in contradistinction to
the male of A. campestris, it is subglobose, and will serve as a
distinction between them.
This bee occurs in great profusion in Yorkshire ; it also occurs
in Scotland, and is not rare in the London district.
4. Apathus vestalis.
A. hirsutus, ater ; thorace antice fulvo-flavo, ano albo, apice
nigro.
Apis vestalis, Fourc. Ent. Par. ii. 450. 27.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 347. 95. 1. 18. f . 3 $ (f. 4. nee $ ).
Apis nemorum, Syst. Piez. p. 345. 8 ?, and Cab. Banks. Linn. Soc.
Bremus aestivalis, Panz. Faun. Germ. 89. 16.
Bombus vestalis, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 65. 9.
Dahlb. Bomb. Scand. p. 5L 34.
Illig. Mag. v. 174. 60.
Psithyrus vestalis, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 430. 3.
Psithyrus aestivalis, Drews. ^ Schiodte, Kroy. Tidsskr. ii. 124. 3 $ .
Nyland. dp. Boreal, p. 241. 3.
Psithyrus Rossiellus, Drews, fr Schiodte, Kroy. Tidssfcr. ii. 123.
Ic?.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 242. 5.
Apathus nemorum, Smith, Zool. ii. 544. 4 $ $ .
Female. Length 10 lines. The pubescence black, the thorax
having anteriorly a broad reddish-yellow band. Abdomen
shining, the pubescence sparing on the second segment in the
middle ; the third has on each side a yellow pubescence, ob-
liquely narrowing to the middle of the segment ; the fourth and
fifth have white pubescence, intermixed in the middle on the
fifth with fuscous hairs ; the sixth naked, having a little very
short ferruginous pubescence at the apex. B.M.
Male. Length 7-8 lines. The pubescence black, the thorax
having a yellow band as in the other sex ; the tegulse and ner-
vures rufo-piceous ; wings subhyaline, their apical margins
faintly clouded ; the basal segment of the abdomen having a
thin yellow pubescence, also a few yellow hairs on the scutellum ;
the third segment having yellow pubescence, disposed as in the
other sex ; the fourth and apical segments clothed with white
pubescence, that at the extreme apex fuscous. B.M.
BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 239
Var. ft. The pubescence on the scutellum black, the base of the
abdomen having some yellow pubescence laterally.
Var. y. The pubescence on the scutellum and at the base of the
abdomen entirely black.
The insect which represents the Eombus nemorum in the
Banksian Cabinet is the A. vest alls, but it has been thought
better to retain Kirby's name, since no female of this species
has occurred with the character " thorace fascia interrupta flava ;"
nor is it the case with the specimen in the Banksian Collection,
which is probably not the typical one.
This species is found in all parts of the United Kingdom,
and is very abundant in the neighbourhood of London. Both
sexes of this parasite were found in the nest of 5. terrestris at
Southend, in the autumn of 1854.
Genus 18. APIS.
Apis, pt., Linn.
Communities consisting of three kinds of individuals, males,
females, and workers.
Males. Eyes very large, occupying one-fifth of the head,
meeting on the vertex ; the posterior tibias slender at the base,
gradually widening to the apex.
Females and Workers. Eyes lateral, elongate, not meeting
on the vertex. Wings having one marginal and three submar-
ginal cells ; the labial palpi four-jointed, the maxillary palpi
consisting of a single joint. Eyes pubescent ; posterior tibiae not
having any spine at the apex ; the basal joint of the posterior
tarsi of the workers concave, transversely ridged, each ridge
having a thick-set fringe of stiff hairs, producing the appearance
of transverse grooves. The female and the male have the tarsi
simple.
Volumes have been written on the economy of the Honey
Bees ; Swammerdam, Reaumur, Huber, and others have made
us acquainted with the marvels of the hive. Not having had an
opportunity of making any personal observations on the Hive-
bee, I can add nothing to its history.
We can scarcely estimate the value the products of the
hive must have been to man in ancient times; but when we
remember that honey must have formed the staple commodity
240 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
which our forefathers applied to all the uses for which sugar is
now substituted, and at the same time recollect even the present
value of the wax, we shall arrive at a considerable estimate of
the benefits derived from these industrious insects.
In the entire range of the history of bees, nothing is to be met
with which excites our astonishment so greatly as the manner
in which the Hive-bee is said to possess the power of replacing
the loss of their queen ; indeed, so contrary is this to all our
experience, that without a personal confirmation of so remark-
able a phenomenon, some feeling of incredulity will force itself
upon the mind, and suggest the possibility of mistaken observa-
tion. If the only thing necessary to produce difference of sex
is difference of aliment, there must be some misconception or
error in speaking of eggs of males, workers, and females. No
difference is to be observed in the food of the solitary species of
Hymenoptera ; the larvae of the sexes of the genus Pompilus feed
upon spiders, Diptera, or caterpillars : one un deviating course
is to be observed : the larvae of both sexes of Melittobia alike
feed on that of Anthophora ; the eggs deposited nearest to the
entrance of a burrow invariably produce males, which are the
first which come forth : this does not appear to be dependent
either upon the quality or quantity of food, but upon a pre-
existent organization existing in the egg itself. If the pheno-
menon above alluded to be a deviation from the laws which our
observations have led us to adopt, it is then a circumstance
arising from laws and principles which are too inscrutable for the
limited powers of perception with which we are endowed.
Further observations on the wonders of the hive must be ab-
stained from, a mere sketch would fill a volume, and it is only
necessary to call attention to the list of illustrious names of
writers on the hive and its inhabitants, given by Mr. J. O. West-
wood in the second volume of his admirable Introduction to the
Classification of Insects.
It might be well to record a fact in confirmation of Huber's
opinion, that the female, or queen, is impregnated in the open
air. A person who kept bees was one day walking in his
garden, when suddenly he saw a couple of bees fall to the ground
on the pathway ; these he observed were in connexion ; having
secured them in this condition, he forwarded them to me ; they
were separated, but the male was dead. The young queen was
of a pale fuscous colour, yellow beneath, the legs also being pale
yellow; she was scarcely larger than an ordinary working bee.
There appears to be some reason for believing that the hive-
bee of this country has from the remotest ages been scattered
over most parts of the old world ; in the present day it is a
cosmopolitan.
&EES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
1. Apis mellifica.
Apis mellifica, Linn. Faun. Suec. 1697.
Scop.Ent. Cam. p. 811.
Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 383. 30.
Sulz. Ins. t. 19. f. 123.
Harris, Expos. Eng. Ins. t. 39. f. 9, 10.
Schrank, Ins. Austr. p. 813.
Rossi, Faun. Etrusc. ii. 103. 912.
Christ. Hym. p. 73. t. 1. f. 1-5.
Don. Brit. Ins. xiv. 63* 492.
Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 312. 73. t. 17. f. 10, 11, 12.
Panz. Faun. Germ. 85. 16. t. 17, 18.
Latr. Hist. Nat. xiv, 66. 1.
Spin. Ins. Lig. fasc. i. 35. 15.
Jurine, Hym. p. 244. t. 12. gen. 35.
Curtis, Brit. Ent. xvi. 769. <? ? 5 .
Brulle, Exped. Sc. de Moree, iii. 327. 728.
St. Farg. Hym. i. 401. 1.
Lucas, Explor. Sc. Alger. iii. 141. 1.
Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 226. 1.
Spin. Faun. Chili, vi. 161. 1.
Apis cedfera, Scop. Ann. Hist. Nat. iv. 16. 16.
Apis gregaria, Geoff. Ins. ii. 407. 1.
Apis domestica, Ray, Hist. Ins. p. 240.
Reaum. Ins. v. t. 22. f. 1 $ , f. 2 $ , f. 4 ? .
Swamm. Bibl. Nat. t. 17. f. 1, 2 , f, 3 ? , f. 4 <? .
Female. Length 7-8 lines. Fuscous, the pubescence rufo-
fuscous, that on the vertex fuscous ; the antennse, labrum and
mandibles rufo-testaceous ; the posterior tibiae and tarsi pale
rufo-testaceous ; the wings shorter than the body ; the mar-
gins of the segments of the abdomen more or less rufo-testa-
ceous. B.M.
Worker. Closely resembling the female, but uniformly of a
darker colour, the legs being concolorous ; the wings as long
as the body. B.M.
Male. Length 8 lines. Robust ; coloured as in the worker, the
eyes ferruginous and approximate ; the head narrower than
the thorax, the latter as well as the base of the abdomen thickly
covered with short rufo-fuscous pubescence, palest on the ab-
domen and metathorax ; the fourth and apical segments have
a long thin fuscous pubescence ; the apex indexed, the seventh
segment concealed. B.M.
243
EXPLANATION OE THE PLATES.
All the drawings of the tongues were made from specimens
of those organs when recently extracted from fresh specimens of
the Bees, before any of the parts became distorted by shrivelling
up, as is the case in dried specimens.
The letters indicate the same parts in all the figures ; they are
as follows : a, the mentum ; b, labium ; c, the labial palpi ; d, the
paraglossse ; e, the maxilla ; f, the lobe of the maxilla ; g, the
maxillary palpus.
PLATE A. Fig. 1.
a. The costal nervure. h. The radial uervure.
b. The apical margin. i. The cubital nervure.
c. The posterior margin. k. The discoidal nervure.
d. The post-costal nervure. I. The subdiscoidal nervure.
e. The externo-medial ner- m. The transverso-medial
vure. nervures.
f. The anal nervure. n. The recurrent nervures.
g. The transverso-medial ner- o. The stigma.
vure.
PLATE A. Fig. 2.
1. The costal cell. 8. The third submarginal cell.
2. The externo-medial cell. 9. The fourth submarginal
3. The interno-medial cell. cell.
4. The anal cell. 10. The first discoidal cell.
5. The marginal cell. 11. The second discoidal cell.
6. The first submarginal cell, 12. The third discoidal cell.
7. The second submarginal 13. The first apical cell.
cell. 14. The second apical cell,
M2
244
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE I.
Fig.
1 . Prosopis cornuta $ .
la. Antenna of Prosopis cor-
nuta $ .
16. Intermediate leg of Pro-
sopis cornuta 3 .
Ic. Wing of Prosopis.
\d. Head of Prosopis dila~
tata $ .
2. Sphecodes fuscipennis J .
Fig.
3. Halictus sexnotatus .
3a. Labrum of Halictus $ .
3b. Labrum of Halictus ? .
3c. Wing of Halictus.
4. Macropis labiata 5 .
5. Nomada armata $ .
6. Dasypoda hirtipes $ .
6a. Wing of Dasypoda*
PLATE II.
1. Andrena ferox $ .
2. Andrena ferox J .
2a. Wing of Andrena, first
type of neuration.
2b. Wing of Andrena, second
type of neuration.
3. Wing of Cilissa.
4. Panurgus calcaratus 3
4 a. Wing of Panurgus.
5. Cwlioxys Vectis 5 *
6. Megachile maritima <$ .
60. Anterior tarsus of Mega-
chile maritima $ .
7. Anterior tarsus of Mega-
chile Willughbiella 3 .
8. Anterior tarsus of Mega-
chile circumcincta <$ .
PLATE III.
1 . Osmia pilicornis <? .
2. Osmia pilicornis 5
3. Melecta luctuosa ? .
4. Apical segment of Mega-
chile pyrina $ .
5. Apical segment of Mega-
chile argentata $ .
6. Apical segment of Mega-
chile centuncularis $ .
7. Apical segment of Mega-
chile ligniseca <$ .
8. Apical segment of Osmia
pilicornis $ .
9. Apical segment of Osmia
aurulenta $ .
10. Profile of the abdomen of
Osmia spinulosa <? .
11. Apical segment of Osmia
spinulosa $ .
12. Wing of Coelioxys.
13. Wing of Anthidium.
14. Wing of Nomada.
15. Wing of Melecta.
16. Wing of Stelis.
17. Wing of Megachile.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
245
PLATE IV.
Fig. Fig.
1. Anthidium manicatum $ . 3.
2. Chelostoma florisomne $ . 4.
2a. Mandible of Chelostoma 4a.
florisomne $ .
2b. 'Labrum of Chelostoma 5.
florisomne $ . 5a.
2c. Apical segment of Chelo- 6.
stoma florisomne 3 1
2d. Profile of the abdomen of *8.
Chelostoma florisomne $ .
Stelis octomaculata $ .
Saropoda bimaculata $ .
Face of Saropoda bimacu-
lata ?
Ceratina carulea.
Wing of Ceratina.
Wing of Saropoda.
Wing of Eucera.
Wing of Ammobates.
PLATE V.
1 . Epeolus variegatus $ .
2. Hermaphrodite. Antho-
phora acervorum.
2a. Under side of the Herma-
phrodite.
3. Bombus lapponicus $ .
4. Apathus vestalis J .
5. Wing of Apis melliflca.
6. Wing of Anthophora.
7. Posterior leg of Apis mel-
liflca ? .
PLATE VI.
8. Posterior leg of Apis mel-
lifica 5 .
9. Labrum of Bombus terres-
tris ? .
10. Labrum of Apathus cam-
pestris.
11. Posterior leg of Bom-
bus 1 }.
12. Posterior legof Apathus ?.
1. Labium of Colletes Davie-
sana $ .
2. Maxilla of Colletes Davie-
sana 5
3. Labium of Sphecodes gib-
bus $ .
4. Maxilla of Sphecodes gib-
bus $ .
5. Labium of Prosopis sig-
8. Maxilla of Halictus leuco-
zonius 5 .
9. Labium of Andrena la-
6. Maxilla of Prosopis sig-
nata ? .
7. Labium of Halictus leuco-
zonius J ,
10. Maxilla of Andrena la-
bialis ? .
11. Posterior leg of Andrena
atriceps $ .
12. Labium of Macropis la-
biata ? .
13. Maxilla of Macropis la-
biata $ .
* The genus Ammobates is not described in this work ; it is re-
ported to have been taken in England, but the circumstance requires
confirmation.
246
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE VIL
Fig.
1. Labium of Cilissa lepo-
rina J .
2. Maxilla of Cilissa lepo-
rina $ .
3. Labium of Dasypoda hir-
tipes 5 .
4. Maxilla of Dasypoda hir-
tipes J .
5. Labium of Panurgus Bank-
sianus $ .
6. Maxilla of Panurgus Bank-
sianus 5 .
Fig.
7. Labium of Megachile m&-
ritima $ .
8. Maxilla of Megachile ma-
ritima .
9. Mandible of Megachile
maritima ? .
10. Antenna of Megachile ma-
ritima J .
11. Labium of Osmia bicor-
nis$ .
12. Maxilla of Osmia bicor-
PLATE VIII.
1 . Labium of Anthidium ma-
nicatum 5 .
2. Maxilla of Anthidium ma-
nicatum ? .
3. Mandible of Anthidium ma-
nicatum J .
4. Labium of Chelostoma flo-
risomne 5 .
5. Maxilla of Chelostoma flo-
risomne $ .
6. Labial palpus of Heriades
truncorum J .
7. Mandible of Chelostomajlo-
risomne 5
8. Labrum of Chelostoma jlo~
risomne 5 .
9. Labium of Nomada sexfas-
ciata 5 .
10. Maxilla of Nomada sex-
fasciata J .
11. Labrum of Nomada sex-
fasciata 5 .
12. Labium of Ceratina cceru-
13. Maxilla of Ceratina cceru-
14. Labium of Epeolus varie-
gatus J .
15. Maxilla of Ei^eolus varie-
gatus $ .
16. Labium of Stelis phceo-
ptera .
17. Maxilla of Stelis phao-
ptera J .
PLATE IX.
1. Labium of C&lioxys $ .
2. Maxilla of Ccelioxys ? .
2a. Labrum of Calioxys $ .
2b. Superior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. ru-
fescens $ .
2c. Inferior plate of the apical
segment of C. rufescens
(typical form) $ .
2d. Inferior plate of the apical
segment of C. rufescens
(variety) ? .
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
247
PLATE IX. (continued.)
Fig.
2e. Lateral view of the apical
segment of Cadioxys ru-
fescens $ .
2f. -Lateral view of the apical
segment of C. rufes-
cens .
2g. Inferior plate of the apical
segment of C. mandibu-
2h. Under side of the head of
C. mandibularis $ .
2i. Lateral view of the apical
segment of C. Vectis $ .
2k. Lateral view of the apical
segment of C. Vectis $ .
21. Superior plate of the apical
segment of C. Vectis $ .
2m. Inferior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. Vec-
tis ? .
2n. Inferior plate of the apical
segment of C. Vectis
(variety) $ .
2o. Inferior plate of the apical
segment of C. quadri-
dentata J .
2p . Superior plate of th e apical
segment of C&lioxys
quadridentata J .
Fig.
2q. Lateral view of the apical
segment of Ccelioxys
quadridentata $ .
2r. Inferior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. urn-
brina $ .
2s. Superior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. um-
brina $ .
2t. Superior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. sim-
plex J .
2u. Inferior plate of the api-
cal segment of C. sim-
plex $ .
2w. Lateral view of the apical
segment of C. simplex J .
3. Labium of Melecta punc-
4. Maxillary palpus of Me-
lecta punctata $ .
5. Labium of Eucera longi-
cornis J .
6. Maxilla of Eucera longi-
cornis $ .
7. Labium of Saropoda bi-
maculata $ .
8. Maxilla of Saropoda bi-
maculata J .
PLATE X.
1. Labium of Anthophora 5. Labium of Bombus terres-
acervorum $ . tris $ .
2. Maxilla of Anthophora acer- 6. Maxilla of Bombus terres-
vorum $ . tris $ .
3. Labium of Bombus horto- 7. Maxillary palpus of Bom-
rum 5 . bus lapidarius $ .
4. Labium of Apis melli- 8. Maxillary palpus of Bom-
bus Derhamellus 5 .
248 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE X. (continued.)
Fig.
9. Labium of Apathus cam-
pestris J .
10. The relative proportions
of the labium and labial
palpi of Bombus lapida-
Fig.
11. The relative proportions
of the labium and labial
palpi of Bombus Der-
hamellus $ .
HYMElfOPIERA.
T1.A.
1.
HYMEWOPIERA.
P1.1.
HYMEITOPIERA.
PI .11.
HYMEFOPTERA.
HYMEIsTOPTEKA.
HYMENOPTERA.
P1V.
HYMEJSTOPTERA.
z.
PI 71
HYME^OPTEKA,
P1.YH.
HYME1TOPTERA.
8.
PI .~vm
HYME^OPIERA.
PI. DC
HYMENOPTEHA.
ELX.
INDEX.
abdominalis, 30.
Anthopbora, 201.
Bombus, 207.
Acarus, 210.
Anthophorabia, 201.
borealis, 123.
acervorum, 204.
Apathus, 234.
Bremus, 234.
acuta, 146.
apicata, 77.
bucephala, 90.
Acutilingues, 15.
apiculata, 149.
Burrellanus, 220,228.
aenea, 170.
Apida3, 113.
aeratus, 37.
Apis, 234, 239.
caerulea, 194.
aestiva, 67.
Aprilina, 85.
cserulescens, 170.
sestivalis, 238.
arbustorum, 229.
caespitum, 226.
affinis, 56.
arcticus, 215.
calcaratus, 114.
Afzeliella, 101.
argentata, 98, 179.
calendarum, 3.
agino, 162.
arietis, 188.
callosa, 194.
agrorum, 212.
armata, 64, 130, 156.
Campanularum, 190.
albicans, 62.
articulata, 86.
campestris, 235.
albicrus, 91.
assectator, 188.
caprae, 138.
albilabris, 57, 195.
ater, 114, 115.
caraboides, 188.
Albinella, 234.
aterrima, 59, 151.
carbonaria, 59.
albipes, 32.
atra, 59.
Centris, 154.
albiventris, 179.
atrata, 12, 135.
centuncularis, 174.
Alecto, 156.
atricapilla, 165.
Ceratina, 193.
alpina, 222.
atriceps, 70.
cerifera, 241.
alternata, 140.
Atropos, 155.
Cetii, 55.
Amblys, 157.
aurulenta, 163.
Chelostoma, 187.
analis, 95.
Austriaca, 51.
Chrysis, 189.
Andrena, 44.
chrysosceles, 93, 106.
Andrenoides, 113.
baccata, 121.
chrysura, 109.
angulosa, 68.
balteatus, 222.
Cilissa, 109.
angustior, 80.
Banksianus, 115.
cincticornis, 130.
annularis, 9.
barbatula, 98.
cineraria, 58.
annulata, 8.
barbilabris, 91.
cinerea, 58.
annul atus, 8.
Barbutellus, 237.
cingulata, 57.
Anobium, 210.
Beckwithella, 212.
circumcincta, 180.
Antherophagus, 210.
bicolor, 60, 65, 67,
Clarkella, 65.
Anthidium, 184.
164.
Clotho, 156.
Anthocopa, 174.
bicornis, 162.
clypeata, 82, 84.
Anthophila, 1.
bimaculata, 76, 199.
Clytus, 188.
250
INDEX.
Coelioxys, 146.
Eriops, 113.
gregaria, 241.
cognatus, 214.
Eucera, 195.
Gwynana, 67.
Coitana, 94.
eximia, 52.
Gyrodroma, 151.
collaris, 220.
extricata, 87.
Collinsonana, 104.
haematoda, 163.
collinus, 223.
Fabriciana, 133.
haemorrhoidalis, 50,
colorata, 14.
farfarisequa, 112.
109.
combinata, 99.
fasciata, 177.
Harrisella, 232.
communis, 8.
femorator, 189.
Hattorfiana, 50.
conica, 146, 147.
ferox, 57.
Haworthana, 203.
conjuncta, 73.
ferruginata, 134.
hebescens, 149.
conjungens, 119.
flava, 118, 125.
helvola, 68.
connectens, 100.
flavicollis, 218.
Heriades, 188, 191.
connexa, 141.
flavipes, 34.
Hillana, 122.
consimilis, 61.
flavo-guttata, 128.
hirta, 112, 169.
constricta, 84.
flavo-nigrescens, 233.
hirtipes, 112.
contigua, 86, 101.
convexiuscula, 102.
flavo-picta, 137.
floralis, 212.
Hispanica, 204.
Hive-bee, 240.
cornigera, 138.
florea, 54.
Hoplitis, 157.
cornuta, 10.
florisomne, 189.
hortorum, 230.
coronata, 229.
fodiens, 4.
Humble-bee, 208.
Crocisa, 154.
Foenus, 1 88.
hyalinata, 13.
Cuculinae, 116.
Fosterella, 212.
Cucurbitina, 194.
fragrans, 216.
Ichneumon, 189.
Cullumana, 227.
Francillonella, 212.
ignita, 189.
Curtisella, 212.
Francisanus, 236.
inquilina, 123.
cyanea, 194.
frontalis, 85.
interrupta, 137.
cylindricus, 30.
frutetorum, 234.
interruptus, 29, 43.
fucata, 82, 126.
Dalii, 132.
fulva, 64.
Jacobaeae, 157.
Dasygastrae, 157.
fulvago, 88.
jaculator, 189.
Dasypoda, 111.
fulvescens, 89.
Jonella, 223.
Daviesana, 6.
fulvicornis, 41.
decorata, 55.
fulvicrus, 86, 108.
Kirbii, 130.
denticulata, 81.
fulviventris, 168, 181.
Kirbya, 109.
Derhamellus, 219.
fulvo-cincta, 30.
Kirbyi, 103.
digitalis, 104.
furcata, 206.
dilatata, 9.
furva, 132.
labialis, 92.
Diphisis, 157.
fusca, 165.
labiata, 107.
dispar, 65.
fuscata, 100.
Lachesis, 155.
distincta, 57.
fuscipennis, 20.
lacinia, 80.
divisa, 19.
fuscipes, 79.,
laevigata, 33.
domestica, 241.
laevis, 40.
Donovanella, 220.
Geoffrella, 19.
lagopoda, 182.
dorsata, 98.
Germanica, 134.
lapidarius, 228.
gibbus, 16.
Lapponica, 77.
Epeolus, 143.
glaber, 210.
lapponicus, 218.
ephippia, 19.
glutinosus, 3.
Lasioglossum, 21, 24.
ephippium, 220.
Goodeniana, 142.
lateralis, 120.
equestris, 50.
gramineus, 36.
Lathamana, 50.
INDEX.
251
Lathburiana, 125.
minutus, 42.
Philanthus, 113.
Latreillellus, 231.
mistura, 133.
picea, 17.
Latreillii, 20.
Leachella, 179.
monilicornis, 17.
Monodontomerus,
picicornis, 75.
picipes, 83.
Leaiana, 168.
201.
picta, 136.
Leeana, 236.
Lefebvrei, 229.
montanus, 218.
monticola, 218.
pilicornis, 167,
pilipes, 59.
leporina, 110.
morio, 38.
pilosula, 67.
leucomelana, 171.
Mouffetella, 71.
Pimpla, 188.
leucophthalma, 119.
muscorum, 212, 214.
plantaris, 10.
leucopus, 39.
leucozonius, 25.
Lewinella, 105.
ligniseca, 176.
lineola, 138.
nana, 94, 97.
neglecta, 129.
nemorum, 238.
neutra, 227.
pleurosticta, 135.
plumipes, 112.
polita, 87.
pomorum, 234.
Potentlla, 19.
Linnaeella, 114.
Listerella, 81.
lobata, 114.
longicornis, 197.
longipes, 90.
longulus, 39.
lucorum, 225.
luctuosa, 155.
lugubris, 33,
lullianus, 220.
nidulans, 23.
nigriceps, 78.
nigricornis, 190.
nigrifrons, 97.
nigripes, 20.
nigriventris, 166.
nigro-aenea, 71.
nitida, 59, 61.
nitidiusculus, 43.
nitidula, 194.
prasinus, 33.
pratensis, 59.
pratorum, 216, 220.
Prosopis, 7.
proxima, 104.
Psithyrus, 234.
pubescens, 79.
punctata, 155.
punctulatissima, 11,
151.
nivalis, 222.
pyrina, 1 77.
macropis, 107.
Nomada, 116.
maculata, 185.
maculatus, 29.
malachura, 30.
mandibularis, 147.
manicatum, 185.
manifestatcr, 188.
marginata, 5, 55.
maritima, 182.
notata, 134, 155.
nudiuscula, 99.
obovata, 32.
Obtusilingues, 2.
ochrostoma, 122.
octomaculata, 153.
odontura, 178.
quadricinctus, 26.
quadricolor, 237.
quadridentata, 146.
quadrimaculata, 205.
quadrinotata, 134.
quadrinotatus, 29.
quadripunctata, 50.
Marshamella, 126,140.
maxillosa, 189.
Megachile, 173.
Opis, 228.
ornatula, 153.
Osmia, 157.
Raiellus, 219.
regelationis, 218, 229.
retusa 203.
Megaera, 156.
Megilla, 107.
ovatula, 106.
Roberjeotiana, 129.
Kosse, 51.
Melaridrya, 188.
melanocephala, 60.
melanosoma, 120.
Melecta, 154.
pallicincta, 4.
paniceum, 210.
Panurgus, 113.
papaveris, 174.
Rossiellus, 236, 238.
rotundata, 199.
rubicundus, 23.
rubra, 131.
Melittobia, 201.
parietina, 166.
rubricata, 54.
mellifica, 241.
parvula, 96.
rufa, 16, 162.
minor, 219.
minuta, 132, 162.
pellionella, 210.
pellucidus, 18.
rufescens, 17, 149.
ruficornis, ] 18.
minutissimus, 44.
minutula, 96.
pertristis, 228.
pliasoptera, 152, 162.
rufitarsis, 79, 177.
rufiventris, 126.
252
INDEX.
rufo-cincta, 132.
Stelis, 151.
tumulorum, 35.
rufo-picta, 136.
stigma, 135.
tunensis, 163.
rugosa, 20.
strigosa, 197.
Tunstallanus, 231.
rupestris, 234.
Stylops, 47, 103.
subaurata, 35.
urabrina, 148.
Saropoda, 198.
subcornuta, 138.
unicolor, 114.
Schsefferella, 141.
subfasciatus, 41.
ursina, 114, 115.
Schrankella, 56.
subglobosa, 205.
Scopulipedes, 195.
subinterrupta, 220.
varia, 126.
Scrimshiranus, 222.
subopaca, 96.
varians, 69.
seladonia, 35.
subquadratus, 18.
variegata, 14.
senilis, 212,214.
subterranea, 236.
variegatus, 143.
separata, 92.
subterraneus, 232.
varipes, 1 4.
sexcincta, 138.
succiricta, 3, 142.
Vectis, 150.
sexcinctus, 27.
Swaramerdamella,
versicolor, 177.
sexfasciata, 141.
112.
vestalis, 238.
sexnotatus, 28.
sylvarum, 217, 227.
vestita, 64.
Shawelia, 94.
Symmorpha, 154.
veteranus, 217.
Sheppardana, 132.
vidua, 122.
signata, 12, 125.
tarsata, 95.
virginalis, 226.
similis, 63.
temporalis, 150.
vitrea, 62.
simillima, 78.
terebrator, 30.
Volucella, 210.
simplex, 147.
terrestris, 224, 226.
vulgaris, 197.
Smeathmanellus, 36.
thoracica, 60.
vulpina, 30, 205.
Smithella, 76.
tibialis, 70.
Smithianus, 215.
Tinea, 210.
Wilkella, 105.
Sociales, 207.
Tisiphone, 156.
Willughbiella, 181.
Solidaginis, 136.
Trachusa, 111.
soroensis, 227, 232.
tricincta, 110.
xanthomelana, 165.
Sowerbiana, 212.
tricingulum, 24.
xanthopus, 24.
Sphecodes, 15.
tricolor, 222.
xanthosticta, 128.
sphecoides, 17.
tridentata, 82.
xanthura, 102, 106.
sphegoides, 57.
Trimmerana, 72.
spinigera, 53, 74.
truncorum, 189, 192,
zonalis, 51.
spinulosa, 169.
229.
zonulus, 26.
sponsa, 147.
tuberculata, 197.
THE END.
Printed by Taylor and Francis. Red Lion Court, Fleet Street.
CATALOGUES
OF
THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION
IN
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
I. VERTEBRATA.
List of Mammalia. By Dr. J.E. GRAY, F.R.S.&c. 1843. 2s.6d.
Catalogue of the Mammalia. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S. &c.
Part 1. Cetacea. 12mo, 1850. 4s., with Plates.
Part 2. Seals. 12mo, 1850. 1*. 6d., with Woodcuts.
Part 3. Hoofed Quadrupeds. Section I. (Ungulata furci-
peda) 1852, with Plates of Genera, 12s.
This work contains the description of the genera and species,
and figures of the chief characters of the genera.
List of Mammalia and Birds of Nepaul, presented by B. H.
Hodgson, Esq., to the British Museum. By Dr. J. E. GRAY
and G. R. GRAY. 1846. 2s.
List of Birds. By G. R. GRAY, F.L.S. &c.
Part 1. Raptorial. Edition 1, 1844; edition 2, 1848. 3s.
Part 2. Passeres. Section I. Fissirostres. 1848. 2s.
Part 3. Gallinse, Grallse and Anseres. 1844. 2s. (Out of
Print.)
The other sections of the Passerine birds are in progress.
List of British Birds. By G. R. GRAY, FX.S. &c. 1850. 4s.
List of the Eggs of British Birds. By G. R. GRAY, F.L.S. &c.
1852. 2s. 6d.
Catalogue of Reptiles. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. &c.
Parti. Tortoises, Crocodiles and Amphisbsenians. 1844. Is.
Part 2. Lizards. 1845. 3s. 6d.
Part 3. Snakes (Crotalidse, Viperida3, HydridseandBoidse).
1849. 2s. 6d.
Part 4, completing the Snakes (Colubridae), is in prepara-
tion.
Catalogue of Amphibia. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S.
Part 2. Batrachia Gradientia. 12mo, 1850. 2s. 6d. with
Plates of the Skull and Teeth.
Catalogue of Fish. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S,
Part 1. Cartilaginous Fish. 12mo, 1851. 3s. With two
Plates.
Catalogue of Fish, collected and described by L. T. GRONOW.
12mo. 1854. 3*. 6d.
These Catalogues of Reptiles, Amphibia, and Fish, contain
the characters of all the genera and species at present known ;
the latter are illustrated with figures of the genera.
List of British Fish ; with Synonyma. By A. WHITE, F.L.S. &c.
1851. 3s.
List of Osteological Specimens. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S. &c.
and G. R. GRAY, F.L.S. 1847. 2s.
II. ANNULOSA.
Catalogue of Lepidoptera. By G. R. GRAY, F.L.S.
Part 1 . Papilionidae, with coloured figures of the new spe-
cies. <! : 5s. 4to, 1852.
List of Lepidopterous Insects. By E. DOUBLEDAY, F.L.S.
Part 1. Papilionidae, &c. 1844. 2s. 6d. (Out of Print.)
Part 2. Erycinidse, &c. 1847. 9d.
Part 3. Appendix to Papilionidae, Erycinidse, &c. 1848. 9d.
List of Hymenopterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L.S.
Part 1. Chalcididse. 1846. Is. 6d.
Part 2. Additions to Chalcididse. 1848. 2s.
Part 1. Lepidoptera Heterocera. 1854. 4s.
Part 2. Lepidoptera Heterocera. 1854. 4s.
Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects. By FREDERICK SMITH,
M.E.S.
Part 1. Andrenidae, &c. 1853. 6s., with Plates.
Part 2. Apidse. 1854. 6s.
Catalogue of Dipterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L.S.
Part 1. 1848. 3s. 6d. Part 4. 1849. 6s.
Part 2. 1849. 3s. 6d. Part 5. Supplement I. 1854. 4s. 6d.
Part 3. 1849. 3s. Part 6. Supplement II. 1854. 3s.
Catalogue of Homopterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L.S.
Part 1. 1850. 3s. 6d. Part 4. 1852. 4s., with
Part 2. 1850. 5s. Plates.
Part3. 1851. 3s. 6d.
Catalogue of Neuropterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L.S.
Part 1. 1852. 2s. 6d. Part 3. 1853. Is. 6d.
Part 2. 1853. 3s. 6d. Part 4. 1853. Is.
The Catalogues of Hymenopterous, Dipterous, and Homopte-
rous Insects contain the description of the species in the Museum
which appeared to be undescribed.
Catalogue of Hemipterous Insects. By W. S. DALLAS, F.L.S.&c.
With Plates, Part 1. 1851. 7*. Part 2. 1852. 4s.
The Catalogue of Hemiptera contains the description of the
new species in the Museum Collection, and figures of the more
interesting genera.
Nomenclature of Coleopterous Insects (with characters of new
species).
Part 1. Cetoniadse. 1847- 1*. By A. WHITE, F.L.S. &c.
Part 2. Hydrocanthari. 1847- Is. 3d. By A. WHITE,
F.L.S.
Part 3. Buprestidaj. 1848. Is. By A. WHITE, F.L.S.
Part 4. Cleridse. 1849. Is. Sd. By A. WHITE, F.L.S.
Part5. Cucujidse. 1851. 6d. By F. SMITH, M.E.S.
Part 6. Passalidaj. 1852. 8d. By F. SMITH, M,E.S.
Part 7. Longicornia, with Plates, 1853. 2s. 6d. By A.
WHITE, F.L.S.
List of Crustacea ; with Synonyma. By A. WHITE. 1847. 2s.
List of Myriapoda. By G. NEWPORT, F.R.S. &c. 1844. 4d.
List of British Lepidoptera; with Synonyma. By J. F. STE-
PHENS, F.L.S. Parti. 1850. 5s. Part 2. 1852. 2s. Part 3.
1853. 9d.
List of British Aculeate Hymenoptera ; with Synonyma, and the
description of some new species. By F. SMITH. 1851. 2s,
List of British Anoplura, or Parasitic Insects ; with Synonyma.
By H. DENNY. Is.
List of British Crustacea ; with Synonyma. By A. WHITE, F.L.S.
1850. 2s. 6d.
Catalogue of Entozoa; with Plates. By W. BAIRD, M.D.,
F.L.S. 1853. 2s.
III. MOLLUSCA.
Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British
Museum. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S. &c.
Parti. Cephalopoda Antepedia. 1849. 4s.
Part 2. Pteropoda. 1850. Is.
Part 3. Placuniadae and Anomiadse. 1850. 4d.
Part 4. BrachiopodaAncylopoda; figures of genera. 1853. 3#.
Containing the characters of the recent and fossil genera, and
the descriptions of all the recent species at present known.
Catalogue of Phaneropneumona or Operculated Terrestrial Mol-
lusca. By Dr. Louis PFEIFFER. 1852. 5s.
Catalogus Concharum Bivalvium. By M. G. P. DESHAYES.
Part 1. Yeneridse, &c. 1853. 3s.
List of British Mollusca and Shells; with Synonyma. By
Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S.
Part 1. Acephala and Brachiopoda. 1851. 3s. 6d.
List of the Shells of the Canaries, described by M. D'Orbigny.
1854. 1*.
List of the Shells of Cuba, described by M. D'Orbigny. 1854. Is.
List of the Shells of South America, described by M. D'Orbigny,
1854. 2s.
List of the Mollusca and Shells collected and described by
MM. Eydoux and Souleyet. 1855. 3d.
Nomenclature of Mollusca. By Dr. W. BAIRD, F.L.S. &c.
Part 1. Cyclophoridaj. 1851. Is. 6d.
IV. RADIATA.
Catalogue of Marine Polyzoa. By G. BUSK, F.R.S. &c., with
characters and figures of all the species.
Part 1. Chilostoma. 1852. \7s. With Plates.
Part 2. Chilostoma. 1854. 15s. With Plates.
List of British Radiata ; with Synonyma. By Dr. J. E. GRAY,
F.R.S. 1848. 4s.
List of British Sponges ; with Synonyma. By Dr. J. E. GRAY,
F.R.S. 1848. IQd.
V. BRITISH ZOOLOGY.
List of the British Animals ; with Synonyma and references to
figures.
Part 1. Radiata. By Dr. J. E. GRAY. 1848. 4s.
Part 2. Sponges. By Dr. J. E. GRAY. 1848. Wd.
Part 3. Birds. By G. R. GRAY. 1850. 4s.
Part 4. Crustacea. By A. WHITE. 1850. 2s. 6d.
Part 5. Lepidoptera. By J. F. STEPHENS. 1850. 5s.
Part 6. Hymenoptera. By F. SMITH. 1851. 2s.
Part 7- Mollusca Acephala and Brachiopoda. By Dr. J. E.
GRAY. 1851. 3s. Gd.
Part 8. Fish. By A. WHITE. 1851. 3s.
Part 9. Eggs of British Birds. By G. R. GRAY. 1852.
2s. 6d.
Part 10. Lepidoptera (continued). By J. F. STEPHENS.
1852. 2s.
Part 11. Anoplura or Parasitic Insects. By H. DENNY. Is.
Part 12. Lepidoptera (continued). By J. F. STEPHENS.
1852. 9d.
Part 13. Nomenclature of Hymenoptera. By F. SMITH.
1853. ls.4d.
Part 14. Nomenclature of Neuroptera. By A. WHITE.
1853. 6d.
PartlS. Nomenclature of Diptera. (I.) 1853. Is.
Part 16. Lepidoptera (completed). 1854. 3s.
N.B. These Catalogues can be obtained at the Secretary's Office
in the BRITISH MUSEUM ; or through any Bookseller.
Feb. 1855.
f*.
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