3. SPHECODES. 17 



morio, Sphecodes subquadratus, and Sp. ephippius : this being at a 

 short distance from my house, I had an opportunity of frequently 

 observing their economy ; yet, notwithstanding, I could not in a 

 single instance detect the Sphecodes entering the burrows of Halictus; 

 those into which the former bee entered were of a smaller diameter 

 than those of Halictus, in fact intermediate in size between the 

 burrows of H. abdominalis and H. morio — too small to have admitted 

 the female of H. abdominalis. These proceedings were observed on 

 several occasions : no males of any of the bees were to be seen at 

 this time, those of Andrena having disappeared some time, and those 

 of the Halicti not being developed. On visiting the colony one 

 cloudy morning, I was much delighted to observe the heads of the 

 bees at the mouth of most of the burrows — the female Halicti at 

 their own burrows, and Sphecodes also at their own. The result of 

 my observations of this colony led me to believe, still more firmly, 

 that Sphecodes is not a parasite. Since the time when the above 

 observations were made, I have on several occasions detected Sphe- 

 codes busily engaged in forming her burrow, a fact which I consider 

 conclusive of the correctness of the opinions above stated. 



Shuckard, in his work on ' British Bees,' says, with regard to the 

 non-parasitism of this genus, " It still remains a debatable point, from 

 the fact of the destitution of pollinigerous brushes." I am willing 

 to admit the doubt, because the nests have not been so thoroughly 

 investigated as is certainly desirable, but not on the structural de- 

 ficiencies, since the genera Prosopis and Ceratina are thus circum- 

 stanced, and their industrial habit is confirmed beyond question. 

 Mr. Bridgman, of Norwich, points out that Sphecodes, like the known 

 parasitical species of bees, differ greatly in size ; this is correct, and 

 is evidence against my conclusions ; but just as great a difference is 

 to be observed, in the males more particularly, of several species of 

 Andrena and Halictus : the question, however, is not satisfactorily 

 settled. Dr. Sichel most assiduously investigated the habits of Sphe- 

 codes, and records the fact of having observed them burrowing in 

 situations where no Halicti were found ; he also states that he has 

 observed these bees with pollen on the head and clypeus, and that 

 they discharge honey like other Mellifera. 



This genus of bees inhabits all quarters of the globe ; but the 

 species do not appear to be numerous anywhere ; the largest number 

 has hitherto been found in Europe. 



The economy of this genus of bees in one respect resembles that 

 of the Halicti ; early in spring only females make their appearance, 

 but in autumn both sexes are found. 



1. Sphecodes gibbus. 



S. aterrimus ; abdomine ferrugineo, basi apiceque nigris ; alis nigri- 

 cantibus. 



Sphecodes gibbus, Nyland. Notis. ur Sallsk. pro Faun, et Flo. Fenn. 

 i. 93. 



Smith, Bees Great Brit. 16. 



c 



