THE CCELIOXYS. 517 



This species is known to be parasitic upon Eucera lonyicornis, 

 Mr. F. Smith having had specimens from the nests of that 

 insect. He believes that although this species is rare, it may 

 be found wherever the Eucera makes its nest. 



As its name imports, its black abdomen is marked with six 

 bands of yellow, the three next the tip extending completely 

 across the body, and those towards the base only about half 

 way. This insect is spread over a very large portion of the 

 globe. 



The generic name of the insect which is here figured is 

 formed from two Greek words, signifying " sharp-belly," and 

 is given to the insects because the abdomen narrows rapidly 



Fig. 2S2.— Ccclioxys Ducalis. 

 (Black.) 



towards the end, especially in the female. The abdomen of 

 the male is toothed at the extremity. It is a parasitic genus, 

 and in England has been bred from the nest of the active and 

 beautiful Megachile and Saropoda. 



The present species is African, and is extremely rare. Mr. F. 

 Smith was indebted for his specimen to Mr. W. W. L. Walcott, 

 who brought it from Africa. The colour of the abdomen is 

 black, and the thorax is thickly covered with warm dun-coloured 

 hair. The wings have a decided purple gloss when viewed by 

 a side light. 



Mr. Smith remarks concerning the bees of this genus, that 

 the species are exceedingly difficult of identification, owing to 



