MELITTA. (**, c.) ^Qy 



52. M. nigra, albido-pubescens ; thorace rufescenti ; fiJia/w. 



tibiis posticis fulvis, scopa fulvo-aured. 

 MUS. D. Marsham, Sowerby, Kirly. 



Long. Corp. Lin. 7^. 

 H.ai. Barhamias, in floribus Taraxaci tempore vernali 

 obvia, sed rariils. 



DESCR. Acul. 



CORPUS nigrum, albido-pubescens. 



Caput villosum, vertice calvo. Occipitis viWi 

 flavescunt. Antenmv nigrae. Oculorum inter- 

 vallum latissimum. 



DESCR. Acul. 



CORPUS nigrum, pube grisescenti. 



Caput undique hirsutum. Oculorum intervallum latissi- 

 mum. Anterince nigrae. 

 Truncus undique hirsutie densa mollis^ subtus grisea, supra 

 ferruginea. Squamulce nigrae. Ala: subtestaceae nervis 

 nigricantibus. Pedes griseo-hirti, tibiis posticis undique 

 villosis. Femora postica barba longa et densa pallida. 

 Abdomen ex ovato subconicum, nigrum ; tergo grisescente- 



hirsutulo. Anus vix fimbriatus, acutus. 

 yar. /3 trunco supra hirsutie cinerascenti. 



Obs. Abdomen ex hirsutie fuscum esse, seu potius fusco' 

 cinereum videtur, ast revera 7iigruvi est. 

 Since the Linnean definition of tliis insect was intended prin- 

 cipally to distinguish it from A. mellifica, which at first sight 

 it much resembles, although when closely examined it will be 

 found widely ditFerent 5 I have taken the liberty of altering it, 

 so as to distinguish it from such of its congeners as will answer 

 to that definition, and with which it is liable to be confounded. 

 I have excluded all the synonyms usually referred to for it, as 

 they may very probably belong to other insects. That of Chris- 

 tins evidently does. (p. 1^4. tab. 13. fig. 4.) I cannot find 

 that this Melitta has ever been taken in England'. 



Truncus 



