STYLOPS. 109 



Coleoptera; in short, both among the Mandibulata and the 

 Haustelata. 



Their antennae are either branched or flabellate. In this they 

 resemble many Coleoptera and Hymenoptera ; and as the insects 

 in these two orders which have similar antennae are always males^ so 

 Westwood considered his specimens to be males also. Their 

 peculiar labium united them after the same method of reasoning 

 with the biting Diptera. The thorax is, perhaps, still more peculiar. 

 It is very long ; in fact, simply enormous for the size of the insect, 

 and the greatest part being made up of the meta-thorax, it appears 

 quite to overlap the basal joints of the abdomen. Attached to 

 the meso-thorax are two very curious appendages, like twisted 

 wing-cases, which are really the anterior wings, whence the name 

 of the order ; while the posterior wings are out of all proportion 

 large, and in repose close up over the abdominal segments in 

 longitudinal folds like a fan. The tarsi are four-jointed, and 

 instead of claws are furnished with soft cushions, which enable 

 the insect to cling firmly to the abdomen of the bee. 



After being bandied about from one order to another, they are 

 now in Sharp's Catalogue resting among the Heteromerous 

 Coleoptera, and following immediately after the Mordellidae, 

 How long they will remain there, who can tell ? 



Having said so much about their structural appearance, the 

 next thing is to know when and where to look for them. As they 

 are parasitic upon the wild bee, they must, of course, be sought 

 for upon their victim. But they will not be found upon all wild 

 bees ; on the contrary, they are very limited in their selection. 

 Why, we cannot tell ; but so it is. The species most frequently 

 found Stylopised is Andrena atriceps^ though several others of the 

 same genus come in for a small share of their favour. The Atri- 

 ceps is abundant throughout the London district, and is particu- 

 larly plentiful on Hampstead Heath. It is one of the very early 

 spring bees, and may be seen on the wing about the first week in 

 April, if not earlier, so that entomologists who wish to add this 

 interesting and peculiar insect to their collections must lose no 

 time in seeking for it \ and I may also add, that if they want 

 specimens of the male Stylops^ they must be very early in the 



