134 apid^;. 



the marginal cell elongate-ovate, slightly narrowed towards the 

 apex ; the first subrnarginal cell nearly as long as the two following, 

 the second much narrowed towards the marginal, and receiving the 

 first recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle ; the second sub- 

 marginal also much narrowed towards the marginal cell, and receiv- 

 ing the second recurrent nervure a little beyond the middle. The 

 legs have the calcaria and claws simple. Abdomen oblong-cordate. 



The genus Epeolus is geographically widely distributed, being 

 found in all the quarters of the globe. Only two species are known 

 that are Asiatic ; two or three have been found in Africa ; and 

 about six in South America. The metropolis of the genus will pro- 

 bably prove to be North America ; at least twelve are described 

 from that country at present, and a greater number will shortly be 

 added to the list by Mr. Cresson. In this country only a single 

 species has been discovered, Epeolus variegatus. It is parasitic upon 

 Colletes daviesana, C.fodiens, and, I believe, also upon C. marginata : 

 I took a number in company with that insect, all being of a smaller 

 size than those found with the other two species of the genus. 



1. Epeolus variegatus. 

 E. niger, thorace abdomineque albido variegatis, pedibus ferrugineis. 



Epeolus variegatus, Latr. Hist Nat. des Inst. xiv. 49. 



Fabr. Syst Piez. 388 tf . 



Jurine, Hym. 226, Supp. pi. 14. fig. 2 •■ 



Curtis, Brit Ent ii. 516. 



St.-Farg. Hym. ii. 462, tab. 17. fig. 5 $ , 6 <$ . 



Guer. Icon. Reg. Anim. 454, tab. 74. fig. 1 



Smith, Zool. iii. 1150 ; Bees Great Brit. 143 <$ $ . 



Nyland. Notis. ur Stilish, pro Faun, et Flo. Fenn. i. 174. 



Gerst Stett ent Zeit. 1869, 156. 



Schenckj Nass. Bien. 173. 



Thorns. Opusc. Ent. 90 ; Hym. Scand. ii. 213. 

 Apis variegata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 957 <$ . 



Kirby, Mon. Apum Angl. ii. 222, tab. 16. fig. 6 $ . 

 Nomada crucigera, Panz. Faun. Germ. 61. 20 <5 . 



Female. Length 3|-4 lines. — Black ; the face clothed with short 

 silvery-white pubescence, the labrum and mandibles ferruginous, 

 the former having usually a dark stain on each side at the base ; 

 the flagellum ferruginous at the extreme base beneath ; the collar 

 covered with yellowish- white pubescence, and two abbreviated lines 

 emanating from it in the middle ; the scutellum, tubercles, tegulae, 

 and legs ferruginous ; a large patch of short white pubescence be- 

 neath the wings, and a spot behind the tegulae ; the sides and base 

 of the metathorax variegated with white pubescence ; on each side 

 of the scutellum a broad angular tooth which is sometimes ferrugi- 

 nous ; the wings subhyaline, their margins faintly clouded. Abdo- 

 men — an interrupted white band at the basal and apical margins 

 of the first segment, uniting laterally ; the second, third, and fourth 



