198 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Voi. xxiv, 



the new genus Platinopoda, characterized by the anterior tarsi being 

 dilated. 



In 1841 Lepeletier proposed two subgenera of Xylocopa, Andi- 

 netia and Schbnhcrria, his Andinetia corresponding to Platinopoda 

 of Westwood. Schonhcrria was called a subgenus because the scu- 

 tellum of the females was inclined and not elevated on its hind margin. 

 Smith, in his Monograph of the genus Xylocopa, did not recog- 

 nize the subgenera of Lepeletier but divided the genus into geograph- 

 ical regions. In 1894 Gribodo tried to form a new subgenus, called 

 Koptorthosonia, because of a truncate scutellum. Perez and Maidl, 

 in 1901 and 1912 respectively, divided the genus geographically as 

 Smith had earlier done. 



Too many species have been recorded as occurring in the United 

 States. Of the fifteen species collected or reported from this coun- 

 try I feel certain that only nine are distinct, while the remainder are 

 synonyms or subspecies. 



Habits. 



Since the writer has had no opportunity of studying the habits of 

 these insects, such information will be taken from the best articles 

 on the subject available at the present writing. 



Ashmead in Psyche, Vol. VII, pp. 23-25, gives the following on 

 the habits of Xylocopa: 



" The genus Xylocopa comprises some of the largest bees known, 

 many of which closely resemble the bumble-bees. From their method 

 of boring in posts and rafters, in which they construct their nests, 

 they are known as carpenter-bees. The most common species in the 

 United States is Xylocopa virginica Linne. I have frequently found 

 their nests made in the railings of a porch, in posts, rafters, doors, 

 palings of fences, door frames, window sills, etc. 



" The species bores a cylindrical hole, about one half inch in 

 diameter, until the depth of ten, twelve or more inches is attained. 

 At the bottom of this long tunnel or gallery, the female now deposits 

 a ball of pollen-paste in which she lays a single tgg. This is then 

 carefully covered over with a thin partition formed of sawdust and 

 a glutinous substance or secretion, and this constitutes the first cell. 

 Upon this another ball of pollen-paste and an tgg is laid and again 

 enclosed by a partition, and so on until a series of cells, one above 

 another, is formed and the tunnel is filled. The imagos hatch out 



