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 Lee. 



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 Phycitidae. 



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 larva?. 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 18-19 days 40-45 days 85-99 days 



X. varipuneta about 1 week 30 days 20 days 40 days 



Bee Fly (parasite).... unknown 42-47 days 12-15 days 15-20 days 



