Mr. F. Smith’s Descriptions, §c. 29 
V. Descriptions of nine British Species of the Genus Hyleus, 
Latr.; together with some Notes on the Economy of Osmia 
leucomelana and Epeolus variegatus. By F.Surru, Esq. 
[Read 7th March, 1842. ] 
Brrore I enter on the description of the British species of the 
genus Hyleus, | would make a few observations which have 
occurred to. me upon the habits of these insects. I have never 
had the good fortune to discover their nidi, but have always con- 
sidered them parasitical, having observed them in some numbers 
frequenting a bank where Andrena Afzeliella, Kirby, nidificates in 
abundance. Late in the evening I have found (as also on a dull 
day) as many as three or four inclosed within the petals of the 
dandelion; these were generally males. I have a pair of the 
Hyleus annulatus, which I took in copula; proving Kirby’s species 
to be correctly assimilated. This genus is remarkable for the 
singularities of form exhibited in different organs of some of the 
individuals of which it is composed, as described under the re- 
spective species.* 
Genus Hyztavus, Latr. 
Head orbicular ; eyes lateral, long, extending to the base of 
the mandibles, distant at the vertex ; stemmata placed in a triangle. 
Antennz 12-jointed in the female, 13-jointed in the male; scape 
long in some species, in others considerably dilated; in some 
males it is fringed with hair. Thorax globose, punctured, as 
well as the head and abdomen. Abdomen ovate; in some males 
oblong. 
Sp. 1. Hyleus annulatus. 
Aculeate ; black, face generally with pale yellow stripes close to 
the eyes. Antenne black. Thorax with a pale spot on the tegule 
and tubercles, sometimes on the collar; anterior and intermediate 
(a) The following is a list of the species described :— 
1, Hyleus annulatus, Kirby’s Monograph. 
2: annularis, Do. 
3. signatus, Do. 
4, dilatatus, Do. 
5. pallidens, Kirby’s MSS. No. 113. 
6. cornutus, Do. No. 118. 
Uc plantaris, New species. 
8. punctulatissimus, Do. 
9. hyalinatus, Do. 
