NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 113 



hand, is it the presence of minute insects ? I could never prove 

 either hypothesis satisfactoril}^ as the wasps, unlike the bees, 

 would crawl away out of sight amongst the foliage as soon as they 

 could, and the slightest disturbance would send them buzzing 

 away. I caught scores of specimens, thinking I should find 

 something or other in their mandibles, either for making the 

 nest or as food for the young brood ; but I could discover 

 notliing whatever to enlighten me. I noticed that some kind of 

 blight was present on the branches, but not in sufficient quantities 

 as to lead me to conclude this was the attraction. However, I 

 never worked a more profitable plant for Hymenoptera, as will 

 be seen from the following list : — 



Sphecodes gibbus, scarce, on hill-sides. S. ephippia, three specimens 

 only, from various localities. 



Halictus rubicundus, common, on flowers of Doroiiiciun plantagineum. 

 S. cylindricus, abundant, forming burrows in hard paths. S. albipes, 

 scarce, from flowers of Cotoneaster. S. smeathmandhis, on liifl-sides, under 

 stones in their burrows. 



Andrena albicans and A.fidva, abundant. A. gwynana, one specimen 

 only, from flowers of Cotoneaster. A. varlans, local, from flowers of 

 Doronicmn. A. nigro-oinea and A. trimmerana, abundant. A. nana, two 

 specimens, from flowers of Cotoneaster. A. afzellella, one specimen, from 

 flowers of Cotoneaster. 



Nomada. ruficornis, local, from flowers of Doronicum. N. alternata, 

 common. N.furva and N.fabriciana, one specimen only. 



Stelis aterima, one specimen, from flowers of Cotoneaster. This rare 

 and beautiful insect was taken by Mr. A. 0. Walker. 



Osmia rufa, common. 0. anea, local, 



Megachile centuncularis, larvfe, common in old posts. M. wiUughbieUa, 

 local. M. circumcincta, found only on sand-hills. 



Anthidium manicatmn, local, on flowers of sage and thyme. 



Antliophora acervorum, abundant ; extremely fond of the flowers of the 

 various species of Aubretia. A. f areata, two specimens of this rare insect. 



Bombus muscorum, abundant everywhere. B. cognatus (senilis) and 

 B. distinguendus {fragrans), scarce. B. laiyponicus, extremely local (a nest 

 of this beautiful insect was taken some years ago by Mr. Alfred 0. Walker). 

 B. sylvarum, common. B. terrestris [lucorum), abundant every whei'e. 

 B. derhamellus, one specimen only. B. pratorum and B. lapidarus, 

 common. B. hortoriim, local ; the variety subterraneus, scarce. 



Apathus rupestris, common, from flowers of Cotoneaster. A. campestris, 

 abundant, from flowers of Cotoneaster. A. vestalis, three specimens only, 

 from flowers of Cotoneaster. 



ENTOM. — APRIL, I8H7. Q 



