Chapter 17

3.This insect was first captured by me, and with this, my manuscript name, attached to it, it was distributed to entomologists with an unsparing hand. The ordinary courtesy of the science has been, for the describer, when not the capturer, to adopt and circulate the original authority, and not to appropriate it. Similar buccaneering has been practised with poor Bainbridge’sOsmia pilicornis, to which he had attached this manuscript name, he being the first to introduce it, having caught it at Birchwood.

Genus 5.Cilissa,Leach.(Plate V.fig. 1 ♂ ♀.)Melitta**c, partly, Kirby.—Andrena, Fab. Latreille.

Genus 5.Cilissa,Leach.

(Plate V.fig. 1 ♂ ♀.)

Melitta**c, partly, Kirby.—Andrena, Fab. Latreille.

Gen. Char.:Headtransverse, scarcely so wide as the thorax, flat;ocelliin an open triangle on the vertex;faceflat;clypeustransverse, margined;labrumtransverse, slightly rounded in front;mandiblesbidentate;cibarial apparatusmoderately long;tonguelanceolate, fringed with delicate hair;paraglossæabout one-third the length of the tongue, abruptly terminated, lacerate and setose at the extremity;labial palpirather longer than the paraglossæ, the basal joint considerably the longest, all the joints subclavate and diminishing both in robustness and length to the apex;labrumhalf the length of the entire apparatus, its inosculation acutely triangular;maxillæsubhastate, as long as the tongue;maxillary palpisix-jointed, less than half the length of the maxillæ, the joints short, subclavate and decreasing gradually from the base to the apex.Thoraxdensely pubescent, obscuring its divisions;metathoraxtruncated;wingswith three submarginal cells, and a fourth slightly commenced, the second subquadrate and receiving the first recurrent nervure in its centre, the second recurrent nervure issuing from beyond the centre of the third submarginal cell;legsall pilose, especially the posterior pair, which have hair beneath thecoxæandtrochanters, above only on their femoræ, but surrounding thetibiæ, and as dense externally upon theirplantæ;clawsdistinctly bifid.Abdomenovate, truncated at the base, the segments banded at their apex, with decumbent down, which becomes densely and widely setose on the fifth segment, the terminal segment having a central triangular glabrous plate, carinated down the centre, and very rigidly setose laterally.

TheMALEscarcely differs, except in having theantennæless distinctly geniculated, the flagellum taking a sweeping curve, thefaceandclypeusmuch more pubescent, but thelegssexually less so; the sexes are much alike.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.tricincta, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 5 lines. (Plate V.fig. 1 ♂ ♀.)? Apis leporina, Panzer.2.hæmorrhoidalis, Fab. ♂ ♀.hæmorrhoidalis chrysura, Kirby.

1.tricincta, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 5 lines. (Plate V.fig. 1 ♂ ♀.)

? Apis leporina, Panzer.

2.hæmorrhoidalis, Fab. ♂ ♀.

hæmorrhoidalis chrysura, Kirby.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

This genus has been named without any reference to any peculiarity, Dr. Leach having applied a Proper name to it to designate it.

TheCilissa tricinctais perhaps most like the larger species of the genusColletes, both in markings and in the form of the body, but in resemblance of form the second species participates. Although robust insects, and as large as the largerAndrenæ, they are yet unprovided with the same ample means for conveying pollen, being destitute of the lock of hair upon the posterior trochanters and the sides of the metathorax are less densely pubescent. The ground colour is brown. Their economy is assumed to resemble that ofAndrena, although it has not been so closely investigated; for my own part I have never had the opportunity of tracing it to its nidus, having always captured the species upon flowers. They are fond of the trefoil (Trifolium repens), and theC. chrysurafrequents theCampanula rotundifolia, as well as the flowers of the throatwort (Trachelium). In their excursions they are usually accompanied by their males. Both species are found in the south and west of England.

Section 2.With entire paraglossæ.Subsectionc.Linguæ Acutæ(acute tongues).a.With three submarginal cells to the wings.Genus 6.Halictus,Latreille.(Plate IV.)Melitta**b, Kirby.

Section 2.With entire paraglossæ.

Subsectionc.Linguæ Acutæ(acute tongues).

a.With three submarginal cells to the wings.

Genus 6.Halictus,Latreille.

(Plate IV.)

Melitta**b, Kirby.

Gen. Char.:Headtransverse, flattish, scarcely so wide as the thorax;ocelliin an open triangle on the vertex, which is flat;antennæshort, filiform, geniculated, scape quite or more than half as long as the flagellum;faceflat, excepting in the centre just below the insertion of the antennæ, where it is protuberant;clypeustransversely lunulate, very convex;labrumsubquadrate, very convex, with a central, linear, carinated appendage in front, nearly as long as the basal portion;cibarial apparatusmoderate;tonguevery acute and delicately fringed with short hair;paraglossæacute, about half the length of the tongue;labial palpinot quite so long as the paraglossæ, the basal joint very long, the rest decreasing gradually in length;labiumabout as long as the tongue, its inosculation emarginate;maxillæsubhastate, rather longer than the tongue;maxillary palpifiliform, the basal joint the shortest, second the longest, the rest decreasing in length.Thoraxoval, usually pubescent, sometimes glabrous;prothoraxinconspicuous, as are the bosses of the mesothorax;scutellumandpost-scutellumlunulate, the former convex;metathoraxgibbous or truncated, but laterally pubescent even in the glabrous species;wingswith three submarginal cells, and a fourth sometimes commenced, the second subquadrate and receiving the first recurrent nervure close to its extremity, the second being received beyondthe centre of the third submarginal cell [a slightly different arrangement takes place in some of the species, which will be noticed subsequently]; thelegsall setose, but the setæ not very long, and the posteriorcoxæandtrochantershave long hair beneath; theclawsbifid.Abdomenovate, the terminal segment with a longitudinal linear incision in its centre.

TheMALESdiffer in having the antennæ as long or longer than the thorax; thelabrumtransverse, linear, and theabdomenusually elongate and cylindrical, and much longer than the head and thorax.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.xanthopus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 4-5 ½ lines. (Plate IV.fig. 1 ♂♀.)Lasioglossum tricingulum, Curtis.2.quadricinctus, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 4-4½ lines.quadricinctus, Kirby.3.rubicundus, Christ. ♂ ♀. 4-5 lines.rubicundus, Kirby.4.cylindricus, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 3-5 lines.malachura, Kirby.fulvo-cincta, Kirby.abdominalis, Kirby.5.albipes, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 3-4 lines.albipes, Kirby.obovata, Kirby.6.lævigatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-4½ lines.lugubris, Kirby.7.leucozonius, Schrank, ♂. 3-4½ lines.leucozonius, Kirby.8.quadrinotatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-3 lines.9.sexnotatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀.10.lævis, Kirby, ♀. 4 lines.11.fulvicornis, Kirby, ♂. 4 lines.12.minutus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3½ lines.13.nitidiusculus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-3 lines.14.minutissimus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 1½-2½ lines. (Plate IV.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)15.flavipes, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-4 lines. (Plate IV.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)seladonia, Kirby.16.Smeathmanellus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3½ lines.17.æratus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3 lines.18.leucopus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-3½ lines.19.morio, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-2½ lines.

1.xanthopus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 4-5 ½ lines. (Plate IV.fig. 1 ♂♀.)

Lasioglossum tricingulum, Curtis.

2.quadricinctus, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 4-4½ lines.

quadricinctus, Kirby.

3.rubicundus, Christ. ♂ ♀. 4-5 lines.

rubicundus, Kirby.

4.cylindricus, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 3-5 lines.

malachura, Kirby.

fulvo-cincta, Kirby.

abdominalis, Kirby.

5.albipes, Fabricius, ♂ ♀. 3-4 lines.

albipes, Kirby.

obovata, Kirby.

6.lævigatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-4½ lines.

lugubris, Kirby.

7.leucozonius, Schrank, ♂. 3-4½ lines.

leucozonius, Kirby.

8.quadrinotatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-3 lines.

9.sexnotatus, Kirby, ♂ ♀.

10.lævis, Kirby, ♀. 4 lines.

11.fulvicornis, Kirby, ♂. 4 lines.

12.minutus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3½ lines.

13.nitidiusculus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-3 lines.

14.minutissimus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 1½-2½ lines. (Plate IV.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)

15.flavipes, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-4 lines. (Plate IV.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

seladonia, Kirby.

16.Smeathmanellus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3½ lines.

17.æratus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2½-3 lines.

18.leucopus, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 3-3½ lines.

19.morio, Kirby, ♂ ♀. 2-2½ lines.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

This genus was named by Latreille fromἁλίξω, tocrowd, orcollect together, from the fact of their nidificating in numbers on the same spot.

The females closely resemble in form those of the genusAndrena, but the males are very unlike both those of that genus and their own females, for they all have long cylindrical bodies and very long antennæ, much longer relatively than those of the former genus. Although none of the species approach in size the larger ones of the preceding genus, their extremes of specific size are as distant apart as they are in that genus, the smallest being extremely minute. Some of even the commoner species are very pretty when in fine condition, and several of them have a rich metallic green or blue tint, and in the majority the wings are iridescent with the brightest and gayest colours of the rainbow. The numbers in which they associate together upon the same spot varies considerably, and a very few indeedburrow solitarily and apart from their congeners. In burrowing they form a tunnel which branches off to several cells, the excavations being as inartificial as are those ofAndrena. Walkenaer tells us in his memoir upon the genusHalictus, that they line their cells with a kind of glaze, that they burrow in horizontal surfaces to a depth of about five inches, and which they polish very smoothly previous to covering it with their viscous secretion, and that the cells are all oval, the largest end being at the bottom. He says also that they burrow solely during the night, especially when the moon is shining, when it is difficult to walk without treading upon them; so numerous are they, indeed, that they look like a cloud floating close to the surface of the ground. Although burrowing thus at night, it is only during the day that they supply their nests with their provision of pollen and lay their eggs. Each of their cells is furnished with a small ball of pollen, varying in size with the species, but which never entirely fills the cell, and is affixed intermediately between both extremities, and upon the mass contained in each cell they deposit their small egg, which is placed at the extremity of the lump of pollen most distant from the entrance. The larva is hatched in about ten days, when it changes into the pupa. Some doubt attaches as to the length of time that the pupa remains before its transformation into the imago, and also as to the period at which this takes place. A peculiarity attends the appearance of the larger species. Some are very early spring insects, among which is theHalictus rubicundus; this I have seen in abundance on the first fine spring days collecting its stores on the flowers of the chickweed. It is then in the very finest condition, and it is really a very beautifulalthough a very common insect, having a richly golden fulvous pubescence on the thorax, an intensely black and glabrous abdomen, the apex of which is fringed with golden hair. No males are now to be found at all. Yet it is only some species, and these the larger ones, which are subject to this peculiarity, for the smaller ones I have found burrowing during the summer months in vertical or sloping banks with a sunny aspect, whilst the males were hovering about both in the vicinity and close by, sometimes either playing or fighting on the wing with the very smallNomadæ, which infest these species parasitically, whilst their females were sedulously pursuing their vocation. Gradually these joyous spring insects lose their gayness and their brilliancy, as do those which have followed in succession of development with the growing year, and they become senile and faded and are lost as they have progressively fulfilled their function. By this time the ragwort is in bloom, and the thistle displays its pinky blossoms; now the males are to be found numerously exhibiting themselves upon these flowers, and also another equally fresh brood to those of the spring and early summer, of females. My friend the late Mr. Pickering, who was in the early days of the present Entomological Society, when it held its meetings in Old Bond Street, its honorary curator, and who was then and always, even when less leisure was afforded him from professional duties, a most assiduous and diligent observer of the habits of insects, propounded his theory, both in conversation and before the meetings of the Society, although he never drew up a paper upon the subject, that these females were then impregnated, upon which they retired to a hibernaculum, and there remained until the breath of a new springbrought them forth in all the beauty of their gay attire, and that it was from their broods deposited thus in the spring and early summer, that the autumnal insects were developed. This theory is both plausible and possible, and I have no doubt that it is the correct one; and thus is explained the total absence of males at the time of the appearance of the females in the foremost portions of the year; this habit we shall find also in theBombi.

The flowers they delight in, besides those previously named, are among others the ribwort plantain, and the bramble, as well as theUmbelliferæand the flowers of the broom. The females possess two remarkable distinctions of structure not found in any of the other bees, which consist in an articulated appendage in the centre of the front margin of the labrum, and a vertical cleft in the terminal segment of the abdomen, both of which will necessarily have their uses in the economy of the insect, although what these may be has not been discovered.

They, likeAndrena, are exposed to parasites and enemies. The smaller species ofNomadainfest their smaller kinds, and St. Fargeau tells us that theSphecodesare also parasitical upon them. The smallest of the genus, which is indeed an exceedingly minute insect, is subject to a very minute strepsipterous destroyer; whether this be a genuineStylopsI am not aware, but the supporting insect being so minute, in fact the smallest of our bees, how small must be the enemy bred within it! Another genus of this order has been found by Mr. Dale upon them, and which is figured as the genusElenchusin Curtis’s ‘British Entomology.’ The smaller species are also attacked, upon their return home laden, by spiders and ants.ChrysesandHedychraarebred at their expense, and some of theIchneumonsattack them, as well as the fossorialHymenopteraof the generaCerceris,Crabro, andPhilanthus, and these latter carry them off bodily to furnish their own nests with pabulum. Several of the species exhale a rich balmy odour, and, like all theAndrenidæ, they are silent on the wing, and their sting is innocuous and not painful. The males are very eager in their amours, and are not easily repulsed.

Some of the species vary slightly in the neuration of the wings, and this being a rather numerous genus, although not nearly approaching the extent ofAndrena, it has been proposed to make use of it for its division, but I think this is scarcely required, it not being sufficiently abundant to cause any inconvenience, the species being so distinctly marked in their specific differences by the aid of the metallic brilliancy of several of them. I have therefore arranged the species in the above list in connective order without intermission, and have placed in juxtaposition those species which appear the closest in affinity.

b.With two submarginal cells to the wings.Genus 7.Macropis,Panzer.(Plate V.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

b.With two submarginal cells to the wings.

Genus 7.Macropis,Panzer.

(Plate V.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

Gen. Char.:Headtransverse, as wide as the thorax, flattish;ocelliplaced in a very open curve upon the vertex;faceflat, but convex in the centre beneath the insertion of the antennæ;clypeusvery slightly convex;labrumtransverse, narrowly lunulate;mandiblesbidentate;cibarial apparatusmoderately long;tongueveryacute and fringed with delicate down;paraglossæbarely half the length of the tongue, and acute, their apex fringed laterally with down;labial palpiinserted in a deep sinus, filiform, the basal joint the longest, the rest diminishing both in length and substance;labiumabout half the length of the entire organ, its inosculation emarginate;maxillæhastate, rather longer than the tongue;maxillary palpisix-jointed, the basal joint the shortest, the third the longest, the remainder diminishing gradually in length, and all declining in substance from the basal joint.Thoraxoval, rather pubescent;prothoraxtransverse, curving to the mesothorax, whosebossesare inconspicuous;scutellumtransverso-quadrate;post-scutellumtransverse linear;metathoraxtruncated.Wingswith two submarginal cells, and a third commenced, the second about as long as the first, and receiving both the recurrent nervures, the first near its commencement, and the second nearer its extremity;legsrobust, with the posteriortibiæandplantædensely clothed externally with short hair; theplantæbroad; the second joint of thetarsusinserted at the lower angle of the plantæ;clawsbifid.Abdomensubtriangular, truncated at its base, not longer than the thorax.

TheMALEdiffers in having theantennæas long as the thorax and curved; theposterior coxævery large and robust, thetrochanterssmall and triangular; thefemoralarge and much swollen in the centre, the posteriortibiævery large and triangular and convex externally, and theplantælonger than the rest of the tarsus, and slightly curved beneath longitudinally.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.labiata, Panzer, ♂ ♀. 4-4½ lines.(Plate V.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

1.labiata, Panzer, ♂ ♀. 4-4½ lines.

(Plate V.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The name of this genus comes fromμακρὸς,long, andὦψ,face, in allusion to the length of that portion of the head, although this assumed discriminative characteristic is scarcely suitable; this again constitutes another of the many instances wherein it would have been much preferable to have imposed a name without any significancy than one which is not thoroughly applicable. It is, indeed, always dangerous to attach a name to a new genus which has reference to some individual peculiarity, for it may eventually exhibit itself as limited to the one single species or sex to which it was originally applied, as to every other subsequently discovered species in the genus it may be inappropriate.

Nothing, so far as I am aware, is known of the habits of these singular insects, which, I believe, have been caught only three times in this country and then only the male sex.

The first, which is in the collection of the British Museum, was brought by Dr. Leach from Devonshire; the second was caught in the New Forest by the late John Walton, Esq., distinguished for his knowledge of the BritishCurculionidæ, and who kindly presented it to me for my collection when I was at the zenith of my enthusiasm for the Hymenoptera, and with that collection it passed to Mr. Thomas Desvignes, in whose possession it remains; and the third was caught by Mr. Stevens, at Weybridge, in Surrey. Why I enter so particularly into these circumstances is, that the genus is extremely peculiar both for scientific position and for structure. In the latter the male is extremely like the male ofSaropodaand its female is more like the femaleScopulipedesamong theApidæthan one of theAndrenidæ,especially in the form of the abdomen and of the intermediate and posterior legs, as well as in the length of the claws and the low insertion of the posterior joints of the tarsi upon their plantæ, a peculiarity not occurring in another genus of theAndrenidæ.

I have no doubt, also, that they are very musical in their flight and are, perhaps, as shrill-winged as isSaropoda; whereas one of the great characteristic specialities of theAndrenidæis their silence. This genus, although restrained within the circuit of the subnormal bees by the structure and folding of its tongue, has so much of the habit of one of the trueApidæthat it almost prompts the wish to resuscitate the circular systems and place it within its own circle in analogical juxtaposition toSaropodain the circle of theApidæ, where they might impinge one upon the other. It is not often that so rare an insect is at the same time so curious and so suggestive. Having been found, there is no reason why it may not be again found with due and patient diligence; my own experience has taught me how easy it is even in well-hunted ground to make rarities common, within almost a stone’s throw of the metropolis, at Hampstead, Highgate, and Battersea, from which localities in the course of my entomological career I have introduced to our fauna many novelties, one of which was certainly a remarkable discovery, from the last spot named, which it is worth recording. A quantity of soil had been removed from the City where an artesian well was being bored, and consequently from varying depths, and carted thence and cast upon the edge of the river-bank at Battersea. The following season, from this soil, a thick and prodigious quantity of the common mustard plant shot up, and when in flowerI happened to be collecting near the spot on the day of our gracious Queen’s coronation, when I captured multitudes of a splendid largeAllantus, entirely new to the British fauna, and a choice addition to collections. This ground had been hunted at all seasons through all botanical and entomological time, and neither had the mustard plant been found there before nor had the insect. Whence did they both come? These observations have certainly nothing to do with the subject in hand, beyond suggesting that with untiring energy in the vicinities indicated whereMacropishas been already found it may possibly turn up in abundance.

Genus 8.Dasypoda,Latreille.Melitta**c, partly, Kirby.(Plate V.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)

Genus 8.Dasypoda,Latreille.

Melitta**c, partly, Kirby.

(Plate V.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)

Gen. Char.:Headtransverse;vertexglabrous;ocelliplaced in a curved line;antennæshort, filiform, geniculated, the scape thickly bearded with long hair and scarcely half the length of the flagellum;faceandclypeusdensely pubescent, the latter slightly convex;labrumtransverse, linear, slightly rounded in front;mandiblesarcuate, bidentate, the teeth acute and robust;cibarial apparatusmoderately long;tonguelong, very acute, and fringed with delicate hair;paraglossæabout one-third the length of the tongue, very slender, and acute; thelabial palpiinserted upon the junction of the labium, very slender, filiform, of uniform thickness, the joints subclavate, the basal joint considerably the longest, the second joint also long, the two terminal joints much shorter and decreasing in length;labiumabout thelength of the tongue, its inosculation acutely triangular;maxillæhastate, as long as the tongue;maxillary palpisix-jointed, rather more than half the length of the maxillæ, slender, the basal joint the most robust, the second the longest, the rest declining both in thickness and length.Thoraxoval, densely pubescent, the divisions indistinct from its density;scutellumlunulate;metathoraxsubtruncate;wingswith two submarginal cells and a third commenced, the second receiving both the recurrent nervures, the first close to its commencement and the second just beyond its centre;legsslender, pubescent, especially thetibiæandplantæ, the hair upon the posterior pair being extremely dense and long, and each hair twisted minutely spirally; theircoxæ,trochanters, andfemoraalso covered with long hair;clawsbifid, the inner tooth very short.Abdomenoval, the basal and fifth segments densely hairy, the superior surface glabrous and shining, excepting where the white decumbent bands broadly edge the three intermediate segments.

TheMALEdiffers in being more densely pubescent, especially upon the abdomen, which is not glabrous, and in not having theantennægeniculated; the bands of theabdomenare fulvous, and its legs are longer and more slender, and it is sexually less hairy, although still considerably so.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.hirtipes, Fab., ♂ ♀. 6-7 lines. (Plate V.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)Swammerdamella, Kirby.

1.hirtipes, Fab., ♂ ♀. 6-7 lines. (Plate V.fig. 3 ♂ ♀.)

Swammerdamella, Kirby.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

This genus is named from the extreme hairiness of its posterior legs,ποῦς,hairy,ποῦς, ποδὸς,foot or leg.It is one of the most elegant of our native bees, both in form and the extreme congruity of its habiliment. This is unfortunately but a bridal raiment, for almost as soon as the arduous duties of maternity supervene these bright garments fade, and the workday suit immediately shows the wear and tear produced by the labours of life. The male flaunts about longer in the freshness of his attire, but he is usually the assiduous companion of his spouse, although he does not participate in her toils. They are late summer insects, and form their burrows upon banks having a southern aspect; these they excavate deeper than doesAndrena, and smooth and polish them internally. They generally prefer spots intertangled with shrubs, and at the mouth of the cylinder they tunnel they heap up the extracted soil, to use a portion for closing it when their task is accomplished. In the course of this process, especially if a cloud pass over the sun, they will come forward to the aperture. They collect large quantities of pollen, for which the hair upon their posterior tibiæ and plantæ is excellently well adapted both by its length and the additional storing power it possesses in each individual hair being spirally twisted, although they are unprovided with the furniture of hair upon the femora and coxæ found in the genusAndrenæ. Thus nature likes to vary its mode of accomplishing the same object. The details of their nursery processes are not known. For their protection their sting is very virulent, and also actively employed, as they have many enemies, especially amongst the fossorialHymenoptera, whom they stoutly resist to the extent of their strength. We are not aware of any special parasites that infest them. They are semi-gregarious in their habits, forwhere they occur any quantity of them may be taken. They are found in their season in the southern counties, the Isle of Wight, and in several parts of Kent and its eastern coast, and even as near London as Charlton. They seem to prefer the composite flowers, having a great liking for the bastard Hawkweed and the Dandelion. A fine series of them forms a great ornament to a collection.

Subfamily 2.Apidæ(Normal Bees),Latreille.Syn.Apis,Kirby.Tongue always folded back in repose.Maxillary palpi varying in the number of the joints.Section 1.Solitary.Subsection 1.Scopulipedes(brush-legged).a.Femoriferæ(collectors on entire leg).†With two submarginal cells to the wings.Genus 9.Panurgus,Panzer.(Plate VI.fig. 1 ♂♀.)Apis*a,Kirby.

Subfamily 2.Apidæ(Normal Bees),Latreille.

Syn.Apis,Kirby.

Tongue always folded back in repose.

Maxillary palpi varying in the number of the joints.

Section 1.Solitary.

Subsection 1.Scopulipedes(brush-legged).

a.Femoriferæ(collectors on entire leg).

†With two submarginal cells to the wings.

Genus 9.Panurgus,Panzer.

(Plate VI.fig. 1 ♂♀.)

Apis*a,Kirby.

Gen. Char.:Headtransversely subquadrate;ocelliin a triangle on thevertex, which, as well as theface, is convex, the latter between the antennæ carinated as far as the clypeus;antennæshort, subclavate, the second joint of the flagellum considerably the longest, the remainder equal;clypeusslightly convex;labrumtransversely quadrate, convex;mandiblesacutely unidentate;cibarial apparatuslong;tonguehalf its entire length, gradually acute, and fringed laterally with delicate hair;paraglossæslender, acute, membranous, not quite half the length of the tongue;labial palpimore than halfthe length of the tongue, the basal joint longer than the two following, the remainder gradually decreasing in length, all conterminous;labiumhalf the length of the cibarial apparatus, broad;maxillæslender, subhastate, as long as the tongue;maxillary palpisix-jointed, the basal joint robust, subclavate, as is the second joint, but more slender, the remainder filiform, gradually declining in length.Thoraxoval;prothoraxinconspicuous;mesothoraxwith a deep central groove;bossesprotuberant;scutellumandpost-scutellumlunulate;metathoraxgibbous; wings with the marginal cell slightly appendiculated, two submarginal cells and a third commenced, the second receiving both the recurrent nervures, the first close to its commencement and the second beyond its centre; thelegsdensely pilose, the posterior pair having theircoxæandtrochantersbeneath, theirfemorain front, above, thetibiæandplantæall round, covered with long hair;clawsbifid.Abdomenovate, the base subtruncate, the basal segment having a deep central impression at its base, the fifth segment fringed with short dense hair, the terminal segment with a triangular plate carinated in the centre, and fimbriated laterally, and all very slightly constricted.

TheMALEscarcely differs, except in having theheadrather more globose and more pubescent; and thelegs, although still hairy, much less so than in the female.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.Banksiana, Kirby, ♂♀. 4-5¼ lines.ursinus, Curtis, iii. 101. (Plate VI.fig. 1 ♂♀.)2.calcaratus, Scopoli, ♂♀. 3-4 lines.ursinus, Kirby.

1.Banksiana, Kirby, ♂♀. 4-5¼ lines.

ursinus, Curtis, iii. 101. (Plate VI.fig. 1 ♂♀.)

2.calcaratus, Scopoli, ♂♀. 3-4 lines.

ursinus, Kirby.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

Πανοῦργοςsignifiesone excessively industrious, at least as it is applied here, although it has other less meritorious meanings, but these insects can scarcely be considered more energetic than any of their associates; perhaps the contrast made between the bright yellow pollen and their lugubrious vestment might give the idea of very active collecting, they being usually, upon returning from their foray, almost entirely disguised in the produce of their excursion. They are rather remarkable insects from their intensely black colour and their compact active forms; their square head and short clavate antennæ give them a sturdy business-like appearance. They also are silent on the wing, but being at the very van of the present subfamily, forming as it were the advanced picket of theApidæ, it may be considered suitable that they should retain, by way of partial disguise, some of the characteristics of the preceding subfamily. In many respects, therefore, they closely approachDasypoda: thus their legs are similarly furnished with hair, relatively as long and having the same spiral twist, and their whole habit is that of one of theAndrenidæ, excepting that their clavate antennæ, and the folding of their tongue in repose, separate them from that subfamily. They are local insects, but extremely abundant when fallen upon. I used to find the first species upon an elevated plateau, on the south side over-hanging the Vale of Health and its large pond at Hampstead. Every Dandelion, for a wide circuit in the vicinity, was crowded with individuals—assiduously collecting, in the case of females, but basking in sunny indolence, and revelling in the attractions of the flower, in the caseof males, and, at the same time, their burrowing spot, which was not larger than half-a-dozen square yards, was swarming with them, coming and going, burrowing and provisioning. Very numerous, but not so numerous as themselves, were their pretty parasite, theNomada Fabriciana, fine specimens of both sexes of which I have constantly captured; and a remarkable singularity pertaining to the latter is, that some seasons it would totally fail, and another season present itself sparsely, when, after these lapses, it would recur in all its primitive profusion, although thePanurguswas every season equally present. Both these insects are found during the months of June and July, especially about the middle of the former. In their burrows, which they perforate vertically, they usually enclose about six cells, each being duly provisioned and the egg deposited, when each is separately closed and the orifice of the cylinder filled up. This species is also found in Kent and Surrey, and I have no doubt they might be discovered in most of the southern counties. The smaller species, which is a good deal like a littleTiphia, is remarkable for the peculiarity of the male having a projecting process upon its posterior femora, whence it derives its specific name,calcaratus, which is hardly consistent, as it is not quite the right place for a spur. This smaller species is also found in Kent, Hampshire, and at Weybridge, in Surrey, and in the Isle of Wight. As well as in theLeontodon, it likes to repose in the flowers of the Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Hieracium).

b.Cruriferæ(collectors on the shanks and tarsi).†With two submarginal cells to the wings.Genus 10.Eucera,Scopoli.(Plate VI.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)Apis**d1, Kirby.

b.Cruriferæ(collectors on the shanks and tarsi).

†With two submarginal cells to the wings.

Genus 10.Eucera,Scopoli.

(Plate VI.fig. 2 ♂ ♀.)

Apis**d1, Kirby.

Gen. Char.:Headtransverse;vertexconcave;ocelliin a curve, and very high up;faceflattish;clypeusvery convex, hirsute, and fimbriated;labrumtransverse-ovate, and emarginate in front;mandiblesvery obtusely and inconspicuously bidentate;tonguevery long and slender, and gradually acuminating, transversely striated;paraglossæslender, membranous, very acute, and about two-thirds the length of the tongue;labial palpimembranous, and about the length of the paraglossæ, the basal joint linear, broad, longer than the rest united, the second about half its length and acuminate, the two terminal ones are very short and equal, and articulate within the apex of the second joint;labiumless than half the length of the tongue, its inosculation concave;maxillætwo-thirds the length of the tongue, subhastate;maxillary palpisix-jointed, short, less than one-third the length of the maxillæ, the basal joint robust, the rest filiform, and gradually decreasing in length and substance.Thoraxvery pubescent, which conceals its divisions;metathoraxtruncated;wingswith two submarginal cells, the second receiving both the recurrent nervures, one near each of its extremities;legssetose, especially the tibiæ and plantæ, which, in the posterior pair is very dense on the exterior of the tibiæ, and both externally and internally upon the plantæ, the following joints of the posterior tarsi inserted beneath, and withinthe extremity of their plantæ; the claw-joint being longer than the two preceding, and theclawsacutely bifid.Abdomenoval, convex above, subtruncate at the base, where it is thickly pubescent, the other segments glabrous on the disk; the fifth segment fimbriated with decumbent short hair, and the terminal segment having a central triangular plate at the sides of which it is rigidly setose.

TheMALEdiffers in having theantennælonger than the thorax, filiform, but with their several joints curved, the curvature increasing towards the terminal joints, the integument of the whole of the flagellum consisting of a congeries of minute hexagons, the edges of which are all raised, and the whole resembling shagreen; the legs have the usual sexual slighter and extended development, and are necessarily less setose; it is also deficient in the transverse whitish bands of decumbent hair upon the abdomen, which is more densely pubescent on the first and second segments; and the four terminal joints of the posterior tarsi are conterminous with their plantæ.

NATIVE SPECIES.

1.longicornis, Linnæus. 6-7 lines. (Plate VI.fig. 2 ♂♀.)longicornis, Kirby.

1.longicornis, Linnæus. 6-7 lines. (Plate VI.fig. 2 ♂♀.)

longicornis, Kirby.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

This genus derives its name from the great length of the antennæ in the male,—εὖ,goodorgreat,κέρας,horn. The name of the genus is usually given from some female characteristic, or from a peculiarity common to both sexes, or irrespective of any direct application, but here we find it deduced from a feature exclusively masculine. Instances of the first class we see inColletes,Halictus,Andrena,Dasypoda,Panurgus,Saropoda,Ceratina,Cœlioxys,Chelostoma,Heriades,Anthocopa, andApathus; of the second class we haveProsopis,Sphecodes,Macropis,Anthophora,Nomada,Melecta, perhapsEpeolus, according to Latreille’s idea,Stelis,Anthidium,Osmia, andBombus; the third class comprises in our series merelyCilissa, and in this series the male characteristics that have suggested the name are just as few, being limited to the present genus. But the males among the bees exhibit in many cases strong and striking peculiarities which distinguish them from their partners. Exclusively of the general distinction expressed in their organic difference by the possession of one additional joint to the antennæ and one more segment to the abdomen than is exhibited in the females, we find in many cases in these two parts of their structure very marked singularities. Great sexual differences in the length of the antennæ are not restricted to the present genus; in fact, in most of the genera, this is the first striking feature, but which becomes conspicuously so in some species ofSphecodes, in most of theHalicti, in someNomadæ, inChelostoma,Osmia,Apathus, andBombus. InEuceraandSphecodes, each joint of the flagellum is slightly curved, and in the former the surface of those joints appears compounded of hexagons. InChelostomathe antennæ, besides being longer than in the female, are also very much slighter and slightly compressed, and have a structure capable of curling upon itself; in the female of this genus the organ is clavate; and inOsmia, besides their length, in one species the male has a fringe of hair attached to one side along the whole of the organ. In other cases, where the antennæ are not remarkably longer in themale they have extra development by becoming thicker, as inMelecta; and inMegachilethe terminal joint of their antennæ is laterally dilated and compressed. In scarcely any case are they geniculated at the scape in the male, as they are in the female. The other genera with clavate antennæ have the same structure in both sexes, as inPanurgusandCeratina. Remarkable peculiarities in the terminal ventral segment or segments of the male may be found most conspicuously developed inHalictus,Cœlioxys,Anthidium,Chelostoma,Heriades,Osmia,Apathus, Bombus, and Apis. InCœlioxysandAnthidium, and some of theOsmiæ, this sex is further furnished with a series of projecting spines, processes, or serrations at the apex of the terminal dorsal segment. InChelostoma, the ventral structure of the male is very singular, the apex being adapted to a mucro at the base which permits the insect to curl up this portion of the body similarly to its antennæ, the furcated extremity of the abdomen fitting, when thus folded, upon the mucro. It is as well to draw observation to these peculiarities, which give additional interest to the study of the group.

The genusEuceraappears in May and June. In some parts they are found in large colonies; although I have seen them abundant I never found them in this gregarious condition, and I have usually discovered them frequenting loamy and sandy soils; they burrow a cell six or eight inches deep, form an oval chamber at its extremity, which as well as the sides of the cylinder leading to it they make extremely smooth, and by some process prevent its absorbing the mixture of honey and pollen which they store for the supply of the larva, and each contains but one young one. These, having full fed, lie in a dormant state throughout the winter anddo not change into pupæ until mid-spring, and speedily transform into the imago, which, until fully matured, is closely in every part and limb covered with a thin silky pellicle, wherein it lies as in a shroud, but at its appointed time, regulated by some influence of which we have no cognizance, active life becomes developed, it then casts off its envelope and comes forth to revel in the sunshine, in close companionship with a partner which its instinct promptly teaches it to find. The largest of our nativeNomadæis its parasite theN. sexcincta, and which seems wholly restricted to it, but which is often even rare in places where theEuceraabounds. The female, like those of the rest of the bees, is no time-waster, but flies steadily to and fro in her occupation of provisioning her nest, and the male often accompanies her in these expeditions, gallantly winging about with extreme velocity as if to divert his sedulous companion in the fatigue of her toil, by his evolutions and his music, which is very sonorous. And on a fine May day it is extremely pleasant in a picturesque situation to sit and watch the operations of these very active insects. In their recent state, when just evolved from the nidus, they are very elegant, being covered with a close silky down, which labour and exposure soon abrades. It is said that this bee deserts her nest when she finds the stranger’s egg deposited on the provender laid up in store, or when she meets with theNomadawithin, which sometimes lays two eggs in one cell. To this she does not deliver battle, as does theAnthophoratoMelecta, but patiently vacates the nest, leaving it to the service of the parasite, which is also supposed to close it herself, having been caught with clay encrusted upon her posterior legs. For the accuracy of this supposition Icannot vouch, never having observed the circumstance, nor have I seen reason to abandon the idea that the parasite has no instinct for labour of any kind,—the presence of the clay being, I expect, merely accidental, for it is notorious that these insects have an overruling predilection for keeping themselves extremely clean.

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