attempted division of british insects. 403 



Natural Order. — Andrenites. 



Larva inhabits a long tortuous burrow, formed by its parent in the 

 ground ; a small heap of earth, produced in excavating which, 

 may almost invariably be observed at the mouth of the burrow ; 

 feeds on a globular pellet of pollen, collected, moistened, and 

 kneaded into a consistent mass, by the parent. Pupa changes in 

 the earth. Imago, with antennae thirteen-jointed in the female, 

 fourteen-jointed, and of much greater length, in the male, el- 

 bowed, particularly in the females, at the second joint ; maxillae 

 with the blade somewhat obtuse, and no longer than the maxillary 

 feeler, which is distinctly six-jointed ; labium, with the ligula 

 very short, and quadrilobed, the lateral lobes usually equalling 

 the internal ones in length ; hind-tibise formed for collecting 

 pollen. Inhabits sunny banks, and flies incessantly about hedges 

 and evergreens in the spring ; is gregarious, but each pair has its 

 proper nest. Two kinds of individuals only. Colletes, Dasy- 

 poda, Andrena, Halictus, Sphecodes. 



Natural Order. — Melliturgites. 



Larva inhabits nests constructed by its parent, either in the ground 

 or against a bank or wall, and consumes pollen provided by its 

 parent, and stored up at the time the egg is deposited. Pupa 

 changes in a silken cocoon in the same situation. Imago, with 

 antennae thirteen-jointed in the female, fourteen-jointed in the 

 male, elbowed at the second joint ; maxillae, with the blade 

 lanceolate, elongate ; the maxillaiy feelers six-jointed and seta- 

 ceous ; labium, with its ligula, trilobed, central lobe very long, 

 obtuse, pubescent, lateral lobes not more than a fourth of its 

 length, very acute ; ligula, labial feelers, and blade of maxillse, 

 nearly corresponding in length ; hind-tibipe formed for collecting 

 pollen ; body short, robust ; wings small ; economy not social. 

 Two kinds of individuals only, both of which labour in the con- 

 struction of the nests. Saropoda, Anthophora. 



Natural Order. — Apites, Social Bees. 



Larva inhabits a cell usually hexagonal, and made of wax by the 

 imago ; it is fed with honey or a preparation of pollen by the 

 imago. Pupa changes in a silken cocoon within the cell. Imago, 

 with the antennae thirteen-jointed in the female, fourteen-jointed 

 in the male, elbowed at the second joint ; labium, with its ligula 

 trilobed, the central lobe elongate, hirsute, extending beyond the 

 labial feelers, the lateral lobes very short and obtuse ; the labial 



