WOOD-BURKOWING BEES. 



519 



On Plate X., Fig. 3, is shown a very handsome Brazilian bee, 

 named Centris denudans. 



The abdomen of this insect is velvet black, and the thorax is 

 covered with dense orange hair. The wings are glossed with 

 blue, and the hind legs are clothed with very long black hair. 

 There is a British genus named Meleda, which is closely allied 

 to Centris. The Melecta is a parasite insect, and Mr. F. Smith 

 has bred numbers of them from the nests of the well-known 

 Anthophora. 



Another species of the same genus, Centris Jiavopicta, is 



Fig. 284.— Centris flavopicta. 

 (Brown and yellow.) 



Euglossa diraidiata. 

 (Black and white.) 



shown in the accompanying illustration. The abdomen is yellow, 

 crossed with bars of dark brown, and the thorax is dark brown, 

 relieved by a greyish white pile. The brushes of the hind pair 

 of legs are yellow. 



The name Xylocopa literally signifies a " wood-cutter," and is 



