102 
PSYCHE 
[October 
require careful attention to be noted, are here readily perceived. In general appear- 
ance the.se bees bear a close resemblance, and their exact relationship ean only be 
determined by a large series of specimens and much additional field study. 
Entirely apart from the question of their valiility as species the variations pre- 
sented by these bees in the color of the wings, the color and j)unctuation of the abdo- 
men, and in several minor particulars are of so much interest that they are worthy 
of description. They may be separated as follows' 
Wings dusky, alMlomen light red, segments 2-4 punctured all over. . laidus n. sp. 
^^’ings reddish, abdomen darker ......... 1 
1. Segments 1 and 2 impunctate, or with a few minute punctures, clypeus 
densely anil confluently punctured ..... persimilis n. sp. 
Segment 1 impunctate, segments 2-4 finely punctured on basal third, seg. 4 
largely, seg. 5 entirely black ...... obxcurans n. sp. 
Segment 1 distinctly punctured, segments 2-4 with distinct jninctures except 
on apical margins, sometimes a (fiscal spot on segment 1 . . dichrons Sm. 
Sphecodes dichrous Sm. 
1853 Sphecodes dichroa Sm. 9 (not 6^), Cat. Hym. Brit. Mus. 1 : 38. 
9 . — I^ength 8 mm. Head and thorax black, abdomen red, a black discal 
spot on segment 1, the 5th segment black. Face clothed with white hair, punctures 
on clypeus coarse and remote, front with large deep ])unctures. IMesothorax shining, 
with large widely separated punctures. Wings refldish, but less so than in obscurans 
or persimilis; tegulae dark, ])robably variable in color. Metathorax not strongly 
reticulated, the ridges chiefly longitudinal Abdomen distinctly but not closely 
punctured, segment 1 with sparse, well-defined punctures; following segments with 
distinct punctures except on ajucal margins. 
Taken on Crataegus coccinea, June 14. Another specimen collected on Cornus 
alternifolia, the last of June, is referred to this species, with which it agrees in most 
characters; but the discal spot on the first segment is wanting, or very obscure; and 
the area of the metathorax is more strongly reticulated. 
d '. — Eight black males taken on Solidago, August 9, 11, and 17, are temporarily 
referred to S. dichrons. They vary in length from 7-8 mm., and some specimens are 
broaflcr and more robust than others. The face and sometimes the clypeus is covered 
with white hair. The mesothorax is coarsely, but not densely ])unctured, except 
in front ; the metathorax is shining, with short salient ridges, giving it an irregular 
pitted appearance. The wings vary from nearly hyaline, to hyaline with the apical 
