20S 



GROUP ANTHROPHILA. (Bees.) 

 Families: A. Andrenidae, Short-tongiied Bees. 

 B. Apidae, Long-tongued Bees. 



Bees can be distinguished from other hymenop- 

 terous insects by (a) the presence of plumose hairs, 

 i.e., hairs that are branched (See Plate 26, Figs, i 

 and 4). These hairs enable the bee to carry the 

 pollen easily as it passes in and out of the flowers, 

 (b) The modification of the legs for special pur- 

 poses, particularly the hind pair where the tibia 

 and the first tarsal joint are broadened and modi- 

 fied for the collecting and the carrying of the 

 pollen. The tibia on the hind leg is the "pollen 

 basket." (Plate 26, Figs 4 and 6.) 



The mouth of the bee is specially formed to 

 enable it to suck up honey or nectar from the 

 flowers. Mandibles are present and are used for 

 removing wax and kneading it. According to 



the mouth structure bees are divided into two broad 

 Groups : A. Andrenidae, or short-tongued bees ; B. 

 Apidae, or long-tongued bees. 



A. Family Andrenidae. The tongue of Andrenids 

 is short and broad. These bees are solitary in habit 

 and many make nests in the ground. In some 

 species the mother-bees make their nests close to 

 each other to form a little village or township. Each 



