The Scottish Naturalist. 63 



THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTEKA OF THE DISTRICT 



suEEOumi^a dumeries. 



By ROBERT SERVICE. 



SO few local lists of Hymenoptera have been published, that 

 the following list of the Aculeates taken in this locality 

 may not be without interest. It must not be regarded as being 

 complete, as my opportunities of day - collecting have hitherto 

 been rather limited, and I anticipate a number of additions to 

 the list when I can manage to go over a wider district. The 

 species enumerated have all been taken by myself, and the great 

 majority within a radius of six or seven miles from Dumfries. 



The nomenclature and arrangement is that given by Mr 

 Frederick Smith in the ' Catalogue of British Fossorial Hy- 

 menoptera, Formicidae, and Vespidse,' 1858, and 'Catalogue 

 of British Bees,' 2d edition, 1876. 



I cannot refrain from here expressing my great obligations to 

 Mr E. Saunders of Holmesdale, Tooting, for much assistance on 

 my commencing the study of this deeply interesting Order; and 

 I am sure Mr Saunders will be well pleased to extend to others, 

 becoming collectors of Bees, the same generous assistance. 



Formica cunicidaria. — Occurs at several localities, but is not so 

 common as the following two species. 



F. fusca. — Very abundant on the hill-sides and dry hedge- 

 banks and fields. 



F. nigra. — Very common ; it is also frequently found in hot- 

 houses. 



Myrmica riiginodis. — As yet I have only found this species at 

 three places in the district — Goldielea, Burnside, and Woodhead 

 — and there it is abundant on flowers in the evenings. 



M. scabrinodis. — Swarms everywhere, being the commonest 

 Ant of the district. 



M. Iceviiiodis. — Also very common. 



M. (yLeptothorax) ace7-voruin. — Single specimens have been met 

 with in various localities, but I have not yet found its nest. 



Tiphia miiuita. — I took one ? specimen on the flowers of 

 Goutweed {Aigopodiiun podagraria) at Mabie last August. 



Pompilus plumbeiis. — Seems to be scarce. I saw a few of 

 it near Lochaber in July last, at the foot of a steep thorny bank, 

 and within a few feet of me. I managed to capture one, but 



