3i8 



Marvels of Insect Life, 



A Carpenter-Bee's Lodgers. 



Some years ago Dr. R. C. L. Perkins, who has added greatly to our knowledge 

 of tropical Insects, called attention to a remarkable structure in certain large species 

 of carpenter-bees from the Indo-Malay region and South Africa. These carpenter- 

 bees belong to a different genus ^ from that to which the European carpenter'^ 

 belongs. In our article upon the carpenter-bees we gave a portrait of one of these 

 koptorthosomas — the broad-footed carpenter (see page 40). Now, although on 

 a superficial view the hind-body appears to be attached to the fore-body by its 



entire width, this is not so in 

 reality, the connection being re- 

 stricted to a short and narrow 

 waist at the lower side. Above 

 this waist the fore- and hind- 

 bodies are separated, though there 

 is only a slight space between them. 

 Down the face of this part of the 

 hind-body in the females of certain 

 species there is an opening W'hich 

 leads to a cavity in the first 

 segment of the hind-body, and the 

 entrance to it is protected by a 

 fringe of stiff hairs. In this 

 chamber dwell a number of mites 

 of a particular species.*^ 



Now it is a well-known fact 

 that our common humble-bees are 

 more or less infested with mites, 

 and it is the prevailing idea that 

 these creatures are parasites. 

 Humble-bees, like other Insects, 

 die ; and if one is found in a 

 dying condition with the mites 

 much in evidence as — like the 

 proverbial rats and the sinking 

 ship — they are preparing to seek 

 other quarters, it is assumed that 

 they have killed the ptjor bee. It is but natural, therefore, that on the 

 discovery of this mite-chamber in tlic females of the koptorthosomas, it 

 should again be supposed that the mites were ]:)arasites. It was con- 

 tended that being subject to the annoyance of having these parasites, 

 it would be to the advantage of the bee to have them confined to a hidden 

 part of her body where they would be within easy reach of the only soft portion 

 of the bee's exterior- — the connection between fore- and hind-body. One can 

 understand a special adaptation of structure to suit the convenience of a 



1 Koptorthosoma. ^ Xylocopa violacea. ^ Cireenia perkinsi. 



Photo by 



Caterpillar of Brussels-Lace RIoth. 



This caterpillar is one of the earth measurers or geometers, and feeds upon 

 lichens. It will be seen that its type of coloration makes it almost ident)( al 

 in appearance with the lichen-clad branch. 



