v] BEES 73 



it layer by layer so as not to disturb the spherical 

 shape. No excrement is voided until the whole of 

 the food-mass has been eaten (cf. Wasp larva). Hav- 

 ing accomplished these acts the larva rests motionless, 

 but does not become a pupa for some months. The 

 pupal period is comparatively short, and is remarkable 

 for the amount of movement displayed by the insect 

 at this stage. 



CHAPTER VI 



LONG-POINTED-TONGUED BEES (APIDAE) 



THIS section includes the greater number of our 

 British genera ; but, since the genera contain but few 

 species, the total number of kinds occurring in our 

 islands is less than fifty. The most noticeable among 

 them are the Leaf-cutter bees (Megachile), the Mason 

 bees (Osmia), the Wool-carder bee (Anthidium), the 

 Long-horned bee (Eucera), the Humble- (or Bumble-) 

 bees (Bombus), and the Honey-bee (Apis) ; the two 

 last named being " social " in their habits. In addi- 

 tion to these there are several less well-known genera 

 of industrial habits, and about half a dozen which are 

 "cuckoos," including Epeolus already mentioned as 

 parasitic upon species of CoUetes. 



