A COLONY OF ANTHOPHOEA 



Anthophora pilipes (pi. D, 24, 25), one of our 

 early spring bees, often forms enormous colonies- 

 I have sometimes seen sandpits in which 

 the sides were riddled all over with holes 

 of this species, and where the insects were 

 in such numbers that a distinct hum was 

 audible from the vibration of their wings. In 

 such colonies one is sure to detect some of their 

 cuckoo associates, Melecta armata (pi. D, 26). They 

 are deep black bees, much of the same size as 

 their hosts but with more pointed tails and with 

 a small spot of snow-white hairs on the side of 

 each segment of the body ; like other cuckoos 

 they sail about in a more demure way than their 

 hosts, but a more lively scene than a large colony 

 of Anthophora can hardly be found. The Antho- 

 phora provisions its cells with honey and pollen, 

 and its egg in consequence floats on the top the 



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