Fig. 9.—Apis Mellifica (Drone).
In southern Europe, notably in Italy, a much brighter-coloured and finer insect is found, distinguished especially by having yellow transverse bands on the abdomen. This bee was long supposed to be a distinct species, and was described under the name of Apis ligustica, but it is now regarded as merely a variety. This bee has been introduced into all the northern parts of Europe.
Fig. 10.—Apis Mellifica (Worker).
Several species of Humble Bees are very common in this country. One of the best known is the Bombus terrestris, the large females of which may attain a length of nearly an inch. This is a large black insect with the extremity yellow.
Fig. 11.—Melipona Anthidioides (Mag.)
In another rather smaller species, Bombus lucorum, the extremity of the abdomen is white. Both these species are subterranean bees, forming their nests in banks, etc.
Of the moss-builders, the best known, perhaps, is the Bombus muscorum, the largest specimens of which measure about two-thirds of an inch long.