164 Journal of Entomology and Zoology 
Mites of the genus Trichotarsus (determined by Nathan Banks) 
infested a few nests and in some cases destroyed developing bees 
but often the emerging adult carried them away among the hairs 
covering the thorax and seemed to be uninjured. 
All the parasites have been sent to specialists for determination. 
The tenebrionid was determined for us by H. C. Fall. It proved 
to be Aphanotus brevicornis Lec. 
The bee-fly seems not to be the same species as the one found 
by Davidson, Ent. News, Vol. 4, 1892. Prof. J. M. Aldrich has 
determined it for us as Spogostylum delila Loew. 
The moth sent to the U. S. Museum was in such a condition that 
it could only be determined to belong to the family Phycitide. 
Xylocopa varipuncta Patton 
This species is much larger than orpifex and exhibits a marked 
dimorphism, the male being of a golden brown color while the 
female is jet black. It inhabits the valleys and lower hill regions 
while orpifex is found in the higher hills and mountains. 
Varipuncta seem to prefer wood that is partially decayed in 
which to burrow. I have found them working several kinds of 
wood, but most abundantly in live oak, pepper and eucalyptus. 
Their tunnels are generally from five to twelve inches in length and 
seem to follow the grain of the wood, sometimes far from straight. 
Their nesting habits are similar to those described for orpifex. 
They are not so much inclined to live in groups as the former spe- 
cies; yet in one case I found several individuals using a common 
surface entrance from which each constructed a separate tunnel for 
her brood nest. 
My study of this species was not so extensive as in the case of 
orpifex and only one parasite was found, the mite, Trichotarsus, 
which destroyed a small percentage of the larve. This mite is often 
found upon the adult which I think accounts for its presence in the 
brood chamber. The life history, as far as known, is given in table 
below: 
Feeding Non-Feeding 
Egg-stage Larva Larva Pupa Total 
Xylocopa orpifex...... 7 days 23-28 days 18-19days 40-45 days 85-99 days 
Moe WANIPMMeTA Loser aboutl week 30 days 20 days 40 days 
Bee Fly (parasite).... unknown 42-47 days 12-15 days 15-20 days 
