CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 205 



in the ground ; a small heap of earth, produced 

 in excavating which, may almost invariably be 

 observed at the mouth of the burrow ; feeds on 

 a globular pellet of pollen, collected, moistened, 

 and kneaded into a consistent mass, by the parent. 

 Pupa changes in the earth. Imago with antennae 

 twelve-jointed in the female, thirteen-jointed, and 

 of much greater length, in the male, elbowed, 

 particularly in the females, at the second joint ; 

 maxillae with the blade somewhat obtuse, and no 

 longer than the maxillary feeler, which is dis- 

 tinctly six-jointed ; labium, with the ligula very 

 short, and quadrilobed, the lateral lobes usually 

 equalling the internal ones in length ; hind tibiae 

 formed for collecting pollen. Inhabits sunny 

 banks. Two kinds of individuals only. Colletes, 

 Dasypoda, Andrena, Hidiclus, Sphecodes. 



716. Mason-bees {Melliturgites). Larva in- 

 habits nests constructed by its parent, either in 

 the ground or against a bank or wall, and con- 

 sumes pollen provided by its parent, and stored 

 up at the time the egg is deposited. Pupa changes 

 in a silken cocoon in the same situation. Imago 

 with antennas twelve-jointed in the female, thir- 

 teen-jointed in the male, elbowed at the second 

 joint ; maxillae with the blade lanceolate, elon- 

 gate ; the maxillary feelers six-jointed and seta- 

 ceous ; labium, with its ligula, trilobed, central 

 lobe very long, obtuse, pubescent, lateral lobes 

 not more than a fourth of its length, very acute ; 



