9 



yellow loosestrife. It is recorded from a few other localities, and 

 is also known to visit thistles and the water plantain. The single 

 species of Dasypoda, 1). hirtipes, is like a large showy Andrena, and 

 is somewhat local, preferring sandy localities on the coast. PiDiuri/Ks 

 has two representatives, both black, and both rather local. They 

 occur in summer, and are partial to yellow Comjnmtae, such as 

 hawkweed, hawkbit, and cats-ear. 



The next genus of importance is 'Somada, with a large number 

 of yellow and black or yellow and brown species. They are all 

 parasitic, mostly on Andrena, though N. sexfasciata is recorded as 

 occurring with Ei(cera, and I have taken Noiiiada farva apparently 

 associated with one of the smaller Halkti. A few, such as A'. 

 succincta, N. lineola, and N. alternata are very common, and appa- 

 rently associated with several species of Andrena. Others occur 

 only with one or two species. A\ borealu associates with Andrena 

 clarkella, and also with A. apkata ; A. fncata with A. fiilricnis ; A'. 

 solidaiiinis I have taken with A. furcipes, and it has been found with 

 other species. The largest, N. arinata, appears to be exclusively 

 attached to A. hattorfiana; N. latld^nriana to A. cineraria, and 

 N. albiii/itttata to A. ar<ientata. The striking coloration and weak 

 stinging powers of Notnada would appear to be disadvantageous to 

 its success as a parasite, but I cannot say that any such idea is con- 

 firmed by observation. Another parasitic genus is A'/)t;y/».s, contain- 

 ing two species, which are associated with CoUetes. K. prodnctiis 

 has always been regarded as parasitic on C. dariesana, but recent 

 observations by Dr. Perkins make further investigation desirable. 

 Although I have bred large numbers of CoUetes I have never 

 obtained E/ieoliis in that way. I am getting more cells this winter 

 to breed from, in the hope of throwing some light on the matter. 

 Ciielio.cyfi is another genus of parasites of very _distinctive appear- 

 ance. They are all black, with spots and bands of white pubescence, 

 large head and thorax, and with abdomen tapering very rapidly to 

 a point. I have always found them with the leaf -cutter bees, 

 ^leyac'hile, but they are known to be parasitic also on Antlioidiara 

 and Sarojioda. The two rather bulky-looking species of Melecta are 

 parasitic on Antho/ihora, the rarer M. Incttiuxa attaching itself to A. 

 retusa, whilst the much conniioner M. annata associates with both 

 A. retusa and ^. acerruruin. The last parasitic genus of the solitary 

 bees is Stelis, with three species, which in this country always 

 select one or other of the genus Osmia as a host. The two com- 

 monest species associate with Osuiia leaiana ; the rare S. 8-iiiaculata 

 selecting (). leiicomelana. 



Coming back for a few minutes to the industrious bees; we 

 notice first the single species of L'eratinu, a very showy little blue 

 bee, which I have bred from bramble stems. The two species of 

 Clielostoina are wood-borers. The larger one I usually take on old 

 posts, the smaller in hare- bells, canterbury bells, or the nettle- 

 leaved bellflower. Kriades is closely allied, but its single species is 



