BEES, WASPS, ANTS, ETC. 



537 



/Sp/iecodes, the first genus of the Acutiliugues, has also been considered as jiarasitic 

 upon bees of the genus Ilalictus, but Smith has observed the females in the act of 

 burrovfing. They burrow in the same situations as the Ilalicti, the two forming, as it 

 were, mixed colonies, but each individual has a distinct burrow. The above-men- 

 tioned author was firmly of tlie opinion that there are no parasitic or inquilinoos 

 species among the Andrenidie. The species of S^jltecodes are smooth and wasp-like 

 m appearance, and derive their generic name from their resemblance, both in form and 

 habits, to the wasps of the genus iSphex. ■ 



The species of the genus Ilalictus are very numerous, and are among the smallest 

 of the bees. The species are often metallic in color. They dig branched cells to a 

 depth of from six to ten inches, and are semi-gregarious in habit, a great many of the 

 burrows often being found clustered together. This genus, together with Sphecodes, 

 differs from all other solitary bees in the fact that the impregnated females hibernate, 

 as with the Yespid;e, and as with Bomhus, among the social bees. The males and 

 females appear in the autumn, the former antedating the 

 hitter in issuing. The females are impregnated and hibern- 

 ate, the males dying. The ensuing spring the surviving 

 females dig their burrows, make and provision their cells 

 and oviposit. The common American Ilalictus p>ciralldns 

 is stated by Emerton to be double-brooded. The egg ot 

 this species is long, slender, and much curved, obtuse at 

 one end and much smaller at the other. The larva is also 

 comparatively long and slender, and is large behind, tapei 

 ing towards the head. Its body is somewhat tuberculated, 

 enabling it to move about in its cell. The head of the pujja 

 is furnished with six distinct, conical tubercules, two largei, 

 between two of the ocelli, and four smaller, just in front 

 of the ocelli. Ilalictus is also subject to the attacks ot 

 Sti/lo2:>s. 



The typical genus Andrena is of large extent, compiis- 

 ing nearly two hundred European species. In habit the 

 bees of this genus closely resemble Ilalictus, burrowing m 

 light soil to a dejjth of from five to twelve inches, and 

 preferal>ly choosing a southern aspect. With the common 

 Andrena vicina the burrow is perpendicular, with shoit 

 side passages obliquely downwards. The sides of the walls 

 are rough, liut are glazed with a niucous-like secretion 

 The deepest cells are provisioned last. In Massachusetts 

 the burrows are dug in May, provisioned by the last of this 

 month, and the larv;e reach full growth Ijy the last of Juh, 

 transforming to pupa3 early in August, and issuing as adults 

 before the first of September. The larva differs from tint 

 of Ilalictus in its stouter and less curved form, and in the 

 less convex segments of its body. The bees of this genus 

 are among the earliest insects seen in the spring, flying about in the sunshine and fre- 

 quenting the willow catkins and other early flowers. 



The insects of the family Apid.e are characterized by the long laliium and men- 

 turn which, with the maxillaa, form an elongate proboscis, which may be folded 



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