512 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



The insect which is here represented is an European species, 

 but at present is not known to be British. 



There is a considerable difference in appearance, as well as 

 size, between the sexes. The female, which is drawn in the 

 ilhi'^trTtion i=i very black, and hei wings are brown. The male 

 ,5^ ^ / ^^ ^ much smaller, but hand- 



' ^^ - •^^»*- -ii-^s**, I. . somer insect, being covered 



with a dense coating of long 

 silken hairs, either golden or 

 ''4 pale yellow. The generic 

 name, which is formed from 

 a Greek word, signifying 

 " brass," is given to it on 

 account of this peculiarity. 

 Hair of a similar character 

 is to be found in the males 

 of most species, but it is not seen unless the specimen is in 

 the very best order. 



This insect is very liable to the attacks of a species of Clerus, 

 a parasitic genus which infests not only the nests of the wild 

 bees, but even the hives of the domestic bee. All the species 

 are briglitly coloured, and, were they large, they would rank 

 among the handsomest of their order. 



Fig. 27S — Chalioodoii 

 (Black.) 



The generic name of Megachilc is formed from two Greek 

 words, which literally signify " large-muzzled," and is given to 

 certain bees in consequence of their large jaws. The species 

 which is taken as an example of the genus has been selected 

 principally because it well shows the generic peculiarity. It is 

 a native of Australia, and is beautifully coloured, the greater 

 part of the body being of the richest purple very deeply punc- 

 tured, and relieved by a quantity of snowy white down, arranged 

 as shown in the illustration. The wings are brown, and have a 

 purple gloss. 



This geiius is spread all over the world, and has long been 

 celebrated for the beautiful nests which are made by the different 

 species. Nine British species are known, and are popularly called 

 " Leaf-cutter Bees," because they cut up leaves for the purpose of 

 forming their singular nests. The rose is the plant which is 

 generally employed, though the leaves of several other plants 

 are also brought into requisition. 



