2. PROSOPIS. 11 



and posterior pairs at their base, and the basal joint of the posterior 

 tarsi pale yellow ; the apical joint f usco-f err ugi nous. Abdomen 

 oblong-ovate, shining, closely and distinctly punctured, the margins 

 of the segments more or less rufo-testaceous. B.M. 



The female resembles P. signata, but is rather smaller, its face 

 being longer, and a broad yellow stripe on each side running above the 

 insertion of the antennae ; the basal segment of the abdomen is evenly 

 and rather strongly punctured, it is also shining ; the following seg- 

 ments are sub opaque, more finely but very closely punctured. The 

 male is distinguished by the yellow line on the mandibles. 



5. Prosopis signata. 



P. atra, fronte maculata, abdomine segmento primo margine utrinque 

 albo pubescente. 



Prosopis signata, Nyland. Notis. ur Sallsk. pro Faun, et Flo. Fenn. i. 

 190. 

 Smith, Bees Great Brit. 12 rf $ • 

 Schenck, Nass. Bien. 318. 

 Sphex signata, Panz. Faun. Germ. 53. 2 $ . 

 Melitta signata, Kirby, Mon. Apum Angl. ii. 41. 

 Hyleeus signatus, Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. Bond. iv. 30 ; Zool. vi. 



2206. 

 Prosopis atrata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 295 cT . 



Female. Length 3-J- lines. — Black ; the flagellum fulvous beneath ; 

 the face has on each side an angular yellow stripe, sometimes only 

 a small spot, not reaching above the insertion of the antennae ; a 

 line on each side of the collar, the tubercles, a spot on the tegulae 

 in front, and the extreme base of the tegulae yellowish white ; the 

 tibiae sometimes entirely black, or only one or more pairs slightly 

 pale at their extreme base ; the anterior tibiae usually more or less 

 fulvous in front. The abdomen smooth, shining, and delicately 

 punctured ; the extreme lateral apical margins of the basal segment 

 have sometimes a little fringe of white pubescence. B.M. 



Yar. (3. The face sometimes entirely black. 



Male. Length 3-3| lines. — The face below the insertion of the 

 antennae white; the flagellum, except the two basal joints, ful- 

 vous ; the thorax has a fine short scattered white pubescence, 

 particularly on the sides of the metathorax and beneath ; sometimes 

 a spot on each side of the collar, another on the tubercles behind, 

 and a minute one on the tegulae in front white ; the extreme base 

 of the posterior tarsi and tibiae white ; the anterior tibiae fulvous in 

 front ; the claws ferruginous. The abdomen closely and distinctly 

 punctured, more strongly than in the female, the basal segment 

 having on its apical margin laterally a short fringe of white 

 pubescence ; the margins of the other segments slightly pubescent 

 laterally. B.M. 



This is the largest British species and also one of the most com- 



