IS97.] 177 



HINTS ON COLLECTINa ACULEATE EYMENOPTERA. 



BY EDWARD SAUNDEBS, F. L. S. 



{Continued from page 140). 



Many of our Midsummer Fossorials are attracted to the flower 

 heads of umbelliferous plants. Salius exaltatus, pasillus, &c., are 

 particularly partial to them, as is abo Geropales maculata, and possibly 

 the rare variegata as well. The ^ of Mijrmosa frequents them, and 

 many species of Crahro. The two species of Tiphia are particularly 

 fond of Daucus carota, femorata sometimes occurring on it in large 

 numbers. The two species of Agenia should be looked for in and 

 around decayed stumps ; they are both rare but have a pretty wide 

 range of distribution, hircana being recorded from the New Forest 

 and from as far north as Cumberland, variegata ranging from Ventnor 

 to Yorkshire. Mr. V. E. Perkins says that the latter sometimes nests 

 in gate-posts, the rubble of stone walls, or in sandy banks; both 

 species may be easily recognised by the two dark bands across the 

 front wings, although in the (^ these are very faint. 



The species of Mimesa appear about the middle of June, one of 

 their number, M. atra, being of extreme rarity in this countxy. They 

 are fond of flying round shrubs and settling on leaves, after the 

 manner of Pemphredon, &c., but they also occur on flowers. The 

 species are very closely allied, so that collectors should examine their 

 captures very carefully, the length and shape of the petiole of the 

 abdomen and the puncturation of the thorax and especially of its 

 mesopleurse are the chief distinguishing characters. 



Among the Anthophila the various species of Golletes appear 

 towards the end of -June ; Daviesana is common in many localities 

 and frequents chamomile- looking flowers, such as Anthemis, &c. ; 

 succincta generally occurs on Erica ; fodiens on Senecio ; picistigma 

 on chamomile flowers or on Achillea millefolium ; marqinata on Dutch 

 clover or thistles. The large C cunicularia appears to be an early 

 spring species, occurring at Sallow blossoms in a few localities near 

 Liverpool. Daviesana often forms extensive colonies in banks ; near 

 Bexhill last July I found it in great abundance, accompanied by almost 

 equal numbers of its parasite, Epeolus productus, and one could not 

 help wondering whether the Epeolus would gradually cause the 

 extinction of the Collefes, which would mean the extinction of itself 

 also, or what would happen to re-adjust the balance between the two. 

 All the species of Prosopis may be found in June and July. 

 Most of them frequent bramble flowers or wild mignonette, but I 



