14. SAROPODA. 185 



Genus 14. SAROPODA. 



Apis (pt.), Punz. Faun. Germ. fasc. 55. 17 (1800). 

 Antkophora (pt.), Spin. Ins. Idgur. i. 127 (1806). 

 Heliophila, Klug, Il/ig. Mag. vi. (nee Burmann) (1807). 

 iSaropoda, Latr. Gen. Crust, et. Ins. iv. 177 (1809). 



Head transverse ; ocelli placed in a triangle on the vertex ; an- 

 tenna filiform ; the labrum subquadrate, the anterior angles rounded ; 

 mandibles bideutate, the teeth obtuse ; tongue elongate, one third 

 longer than the palpi ; labial palpi 4-jointed, the first joint more 

 than six times the length of the second, the two apical joints minute, 

 the four joints consecutive ; maxillary palpi 4-jointed, the basal 

 joint short and robust and about one third of the length of the 

 second, which is as long as the third and fourth joints united, the 

 apical joint cylindrical. Thorax globose ; the anterior ivings with 

 three submarginal cells, the second forming a truncated triangle 

 and receiving the first recurrent nervure near the middle ; the third 

 rounded at apical margin and receiving the second recurrent ner- 

 vure at its extremity ; the claws of the tarsi bifid and rather large. 

 Abdomen subovate, truncate at the base ; the terminal segment with 

 a smooth triangular plate which has rigid setae at its sides. 



The genus Saropoda contains at present a small number of species, 

 , only nine being described : one is found in this country, one in 

 Pussia, four in Egypt, two in Africa, and one in Australia. From 

 the latter countries additional species will probably come. This 

 genus and Anthophora are very closely allied, and can only be 

 separated by an examination of the tongue, the latter genus having 

 6-jointed maxillary palpi. 



Of all the busy bees that revel in the beauty of a summer's day, 

 Saropoda bimaculata must ever be an especial favourite ; it is only 

 to be found when it is sunniest, brightest, and hottest — when sum- 

 mer days are summer days indeed. Who has not heard its merry 

 hum ? Who has not seen it when for a moment it settles on a flower, 

 or rests on some sunny bank, panting with delight ? the eyes splendid 

 as opals ; could their brilliancy be preserved, this bee would rival and 

 challenge admiration with the most brilliant of its tribe. It is a 

 local species, but abounds in many localities. It flies with incredi- 

 ble swiftness, darting from flower to flower with the rapidity of 

 lightning ; again settling it resumes its loud and cheerful note, merry 

 and joyous as the cricket on the hearth. 



Saropoda bimaculata burrows in banks and sandy cliffs. Large 

 colonies arc found occasionally ; at Sidmouth, in South Devon, 

 and particularly at the top of the cliff at High Peak, a mile from 

 the town, its numbers are incredible. It is found at intervals along 

 the line of cliff all the way between this and Budleigh-Salterton, 

 a distance of about eight miles ; it is also extremely abundant in 

 Sandown Pay, Isle of Wight, where the cliffs are riddled with its 

 burrows ; still it is a local insect, not found very near to the 



