278 
Psyche 
[December 
HABITS OF THE HIBISCUS BEE, EMPHOR 
BOMBIFORMIS 
By Charles Robertson, 
Carlinville, Illinois. 
The following paragraphs have been overlooked in the bi- 
bliography of this bee, and by authors who have made observa- 
tions upon it. The passages have been shortened a little by 
leaving out some irrevelant words. 
1. 205. — u Emphor bombiformis is by far the most abundant 
visitor (of Hibiscus lasiocarpus) . Indeed, in two seasons’ col- 
lecting of insects on flowers, I have failed to find this bee except 
on this plant. The female visits the flower for honey and pollen, 
her loose scopa being well adapted to hold the large grains. The 
male comes for honey and in search of the female. In sucking, this 
bee generally begins with 4 (the middle nectary on the right) and 
turns to the left, often missing 5, but sometimes reversing,' so as 
to empty all. Of 27 individuals, only 10 sucked 5 nectaries, 17 
missing one or more. The 27 sucked 113 out of a possible 135, 
and missed 22.” 
2. — “Mr. Charles Robertson, of Carlinville, 111., read a most 
interesting note upon the habits of the bee Emphor bombiformis. 
This bee, it was started, confines itself almost exclusively to 
Hibiscus, chiefly H. lasiocarpus. It was stated that in collecting 
these bees it is important to catch those flying around the plant 
without alighting, as these were generally the males, whilst those 
visiting the flowers for honey and pollen were the females. On 
August 5th, when walking along a dam with water on one side, 
he had noticed a female standing upon the water; she then flew 
to a bank, and he observed that she was carrying water to facilitate 
the excavation of hard ground, into which she was burrowing to 
build her nest. Sometimes one pellet of earth would be taken 
out after such an application of water, but at others three or even 
four. An interesting discussion followed which was participated 
in by Messrs. Osborn, Cook, Weed, Fletcher and others.” 
Published in 1890 (2) and cited in 1918 (9), this was overlooked 
y two bibliographies (11 and 14 ). 
