378 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



M. bicolor, Fab. — Delamere, B.C. 



Psen, Latr. — Breeds in holes in dead wood, in bramble 

 stems, or in straws, and provisions its cells with 

 Aphides. 

 P. pallipes, Panz. — atratus, Panz, Shuck, &c. — Only 

 noted from Manchester and Bowden, B.C., and 

 near Birkenhead, J.T.G. Probably overlooked 

 elsewhere. 



Gorytes, Latr. — But little seems to be known of the 

 economy of this wasp-like genus. The females 

 apparently deposit their eggs in ready-made 

 holes in dead wood, &c. 

 G. mystaceus, Linn. — Halsnead, H.H.H. ; Manchester, 

 Bowden, Hazlegrove and Marple, B.C. ; and 

 Barleymore Wood, near Withington, J.R.H. 



Nysson, Latr. — Probably nearly related in habits to 

 Gorytes. 

 N. spinosus, Fab. — Common in the district, B.C. 



Didineis, Wesm. — A genus with a single species in 

 Britain, of which the life history does not appear 

 to be known. It has not occurred in our district. 



Mellinus, Fab. — The variable M. arvensis burrows gre- 

 gariously in sandy banks. It preys upon various 

 Dipterous insects — Muscidce, Syrphidce, &c. 

 M. arvensis, Linn. — Well distributed and often very 

 abundant. 



Philanthus, Fab. — The one British species of this genus 

 provisions its nest with various wild bees (Andre- 

 nidce and Halicti) and also with the honey bee 

 [Apis mellifica). On 'the Continent it is some- 

 times very destructive in apiaries, stinging and 

 carrying off the bees in great numbers. 

 Fortunately it is very rare in Britain, and has 

 not been seen so far north as our neighbourhood. 



