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Table 29.-Summary of cave inhabiting Hymenoptera.TroglobitesOther SpeciesApidae 0 4Bethylidae 0 3Braconidae 0 1Chalcididae 0 2Cynipidae 0 1Diapriidae 0 3Figitidae 0 1Formicidae 0 52Halictidae 0 2Ichneumonidae 0 3Mutilidae 0 1Pompilidae 0 2Scelionidae 0 1Sphecidae 0 4Vespidae 0 1Total 0 81Family TineidaeSeveral, probably undescribed, species of the familyTineidae are known from caves in Mexico. Aprobable new genus and species has recently beencollected from bat guano in Cueva de Tasalolpan,Puebla. Amydria spp. have been collected from cavesin Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz.Decardarchis sp. is known from Cenote de Sambuhi(Motul), Yucatan, and Grutas de Xtacumbilxunam,Campeche. Episcardia sp. has been taken from cavesin Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Tinea sp. is knownfrom caves in San Luis Potosi and Yucatan. Monopisimpresipenella (Bilimek) is a poorly known speciesrecorded from Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, Guerrero(Bilimek, 1867).Order HymenopteraThe order Hymenoptera is well represented incaves, and 81 species have been identified from thishabitat in Mexico (see Table 29). Many species areaccidentals, but others, such as bees and wasps, buildtheir hives and nests within the shelter of the caveentrance. Some of the species are very aggressive andmay inflict severe stings to the cave explorer. Beesalso are found occasionally around moist flowstonein the entrance rooms of caves.Family ApidaeFour species of the family Apidae have been collectedfrom caves in Mexico. Apis melli/era Linnaeusis known from the entrance sinks of caves in Campecheand Yucatan. This species usually builds itshives in crevices on the vertical walls of the sinkholes.Local inhabitants frequently build elaborate scaffoldingsup the cave walls to reach the hives. Three additionalspecies of apid bees have been collected fromthe entrance area of caves in Mexico: Partamona cupiraorizabensis (Str.) from Cueva de los Pajaros,Tamaulipas; Trigona atrolutea Moure from ActUnXpukil, Yucatan; and T. testacea cupira Sm. fromCenote Sucila, Yucatan. The latter two species aremuch more common in caves in Yucatan than thesetwo records indicate.Family BethylidaeThree genera of wasp of the family Bethylidaehave been found in Yucatan caves. Pearse (1938b)reported Apanesia n. sp. from ActUn Kaua, Yucatan.Holepyris sp. has been found in Actun Xkyc,Yucatan, and Rhabdepyris sp. has been collectedin Actun Kaua.Family FormicidaeThe only group of hymenopterans which may beconsidered to be truly associated with the cave habitatis the family Formicidae. Ants are not uncommonin cave entrances and occasionally are found throughoutthe cave. Most of these species are accidentals ortrogloxenes, but a few are apparently permanent inhabitantsof caves.Among species commonly taken in caves but obviouslynot in any way adapted for a cave existenceis Pachychondyla harpax montezumia F. Smith. Thisspecies has been found in several caves in San LuisPotosi and Yucatan. Another species commonlytaken in caves is Aeromyrmex octospinosus (Reich),which was reported from caves in Yucatan (Wheeler,1937). This species is frequently found building itsnest in the twilight zone of caves. Solenopsis geminata(Fabricius) has been found in caves in Oaxaca,Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Veracruz, Campeche,and Yucatan. In some caves this species hasbeen present in thousands, both in twilight and intotal darkness. In Sotano de Guadalupe, San LuisPotosi, a large nest at the entrance allowed immediateaccess by the ants into the cave, and individualswere observed carrying out numerous animals,including some troglobites. Other ants collectedfrequently in Mexican caves are: Hypoponera punctatissima(Roger) from Campeche, San Luis Potosi,and Yucatan; Labidus coecus (Latreille) from Oaxacaand Yucatan; L. praedator (F. Smith) fromSan Luis Potosi and Yucatan; Leptogenys spp.from Oaxaca, Campeche, Yucatan, and QuintanaRoo; Pachycondyla apicalis (Latreille) from Campeehe,Quintana Roo, and Yucatan; and P. villosa(F. Smith) from caves in Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas,and Yucatan.237