182 



Mr. E. Saunders' Synopsis of 



CoLLETES, Latr. 



Latr., Hist. Nat. iii., p. 372. For figures of generic 

 characters see F. Smith, Catal. Brit. Hym., 2nd ed., 

 pi. vi. 



Tongue short, bifid ; labial palpi 4-jointed ; maxillary 

 6-jointed ; anterior wings with three submarginal cells. 



The species in this genus of obtuse -tongued bees bear 

 a very close resemblance to each other ; they have all 

 more or less pale apical bands to the abdominal seg- 

 ments, and have the head and thorax densely hairy. 

 The hairs, when examined under a microscope, are 

 amongst the most beautifully branched of any of the 

 Mellifera, 



(10) 1. Small species, 8 — 10 mm. Abdomen with distinct 

 apical bands to the segments. 

 (9) 2. 1st segment of the abdomen closely punctured. 



(4) 3. (J with the 6th segment beneath deeply foveated 



on each side ; the foveae small and well defined. 

 5 with the surface of the abdomen shining ; 1st 

 segment somewhat finely punctured ; the seg- 

 ments testaceous at the apex . . . . . . siLccbicta. 



(3) 4. (J with the 6th segment beneath more or less largely 

 impressed at the sides, or simj^le. J with the 1st 

 segment dull and coarsely punctured, or with the 

 apices of the segments black. 



(8) 5. (J with the 6th segment beneath impressed on each 

 side and subfoveated. J with the hairs of the 

 thorax bright brown ; the abdomen scarcely shin- 

 ing. 



(7) 6. (J with the 6th segment shining beneath, not deeply 

 punctured ; the other segments beneath depressed 

 and shining, fringed only at the sides. $ with the 

 abdomen dull ; 1st segment clothed on its basal 

 half with long pale hairs . . . . . . . . fodiens. 



(6) 7. (J with the 6th segment beneath less shining, 

 strongly and largely punctured ; the ajjical fringes 

 of the other segments comi^lete. J with the abdo- 

 men less dull than in No. 6 ; 1st segment naked, 

 except at the extreme base . . . . . . . . picistigma. 



(5) 8. (J with the 6th segment beneath simple. J with the 



hairs of the thorax dull greyish brown. Abdomen 



somewhat shining . . . . . . . . . . marginata. 



(2) 9. 1st segment of the abdomen finely and remotely 



punctured Daviesana. 



(1) 10. Large species, 14 — 15 mm. Abdomen with only 



very indistinct apical bauds to the segments . . cuiitcularia. 



