HYMENOPTERA — APIDAE. O71 
in effect naked, whence they are supposed to be parasites. Some of 
the species resemble small wasps in their colours, whilst in others 
some parts of the bodies are clothed with small patches of very short 
hairs. The mandibles are narrow (jig. 91. 10. mandible of Nomada), 
and either toothless, or armed only with one small tooth. The scu- 
tellum is often tuberculated or toothed. From their evidently parasitic 
habits they have been termed cuckoo-bees. 
These insects, from the structure of the tongue and other parts of 
the mouth, form three sections, of each of which we have a repre- 
sentative genus in England ; Nomada, in its tongue and palpi, nearly 
approaching Panurgus ; Melecta, in the general form of the mouth, 
being closely allied to Anthophora; and Epeolus, in its exarticulate 
maxillary palpi resembling Ccelioxys. 
The species of Nomada are gaily coloured insects, having much the 
appearance of small wasps, with which they have been confounded 
by some authors. They are destitute of hairs, and have no instru- 
ments for carrying pollen. Of their precise habits, however, we are 
without decisive information. They frequent dry sunny banks, flying 
without any noise ; and it has been considered by many entomologists 
that they are parasitic upon other bees, and Mr. Shuckard conjectures 
that they infest not only the nests of several species of Andrena, but 
also of Eucera. 
The type of the genus Melecta is an elegant species, having the 
margins of the abdomen spotted with white markings. According to 
Mr. Kirby, both sexes of this insect were found by Mr. Trimmer in 
the nest of Anthophora retusa, whence, as well as from other circum- 
stances which he mentions, he was induced to consider that it was 
parasitic upon that insect. I have repeatedly found them in company, 
and seen the Melecta entering the burrows of the Anthophora. Ac- 
cording to Mr. Shuckard, it is parasitic upon Eucera, as well as both 
the British species of Anthophora. Mr. Newman has, however, con- 
sidered this difference of connexion as indicating a distinction of 
species, and has accordingly ‘“ made six distinct species out of 
Melecta punctata.” (Ent. Mag. No. 10.) We have no decisive inform- 
ation as to the habits of Epeolus. 
The third subfamily, LonciragBres or MEGACHILIDEs (Dasygastres 
Latr.), as the former names import, is distinguished by the large 
oblong form of the upper lip. The mandibles are very strong, and 
armed with several teeth (jig. 91. 2. mandible of Anthidium, 6. ditto 
