619 



A NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN WAX-PRODUCING BEE. 



By 



Major C. G. Nurse, Indian Army. 



About two years ago Mr. J. H. Burkill, Reporter on Economic 

 Products to the Government of India, sent me for identification some 

 specimens belonging to two species of Dammar-bees. One species proved 

 to be the common Mtlipona iridipennis, the other is smaller than any 

 described Indian species, and I propose to name it after Mr. A. M. F. 

 Caccia, of the Indian Forest Department, who obtained the specimens. 

 The delay which has taken place in the publication of the description 

 is owing to my manuscript having been somehow mislaid since I left 

 India. 



MELIPONA CACCIjE, n. sp. 



Smooth and shining ; a well marked carina between the antennae. 

 Head and thorax brownish-black ; abdomen dark red, especially dark 

 towards the apex, where it is almost black in some specimens, 

 mandibles, scape of the antennae, tegulae and tarsi light red ; flagellun) 

 of antennae and tibiae darker red ; clypeus and front with short grey 

 pubescence: thorax and abdomen with a little sparse pubescence of tha 

 same colour : wings clear, hyaline and iridescent. 



Length. — 2 — 2*25 mm. 



Habitat. — Hoshangabad, Central Provinces. 



