Pyralidae 
bees, where they feed upon the wax and destroy the young of 
the insects upon whose industry they prey. 
Genus GALLERIA Fabricius 
(i) Galleria mellonella Linnaeus. (The Bee-moth.) 
Syn. cereana Linnaeus; cei'ella Fabricius; obliquella Walker. 
The Bee-moth was undoubtedly introduced into this country 
from, Europe. It is a well-known enemy of the apiarist, and has 
been active in doing mischief on this side of the Atlantic for more 
a c 
Fig. 226.—The Bee-moth. a, larva; b> cocoon; c, pupa; d, 
female moth with wings expanded; e , male moth with wings closed. 
(After Riley.) 
than a century, while it has been known from time immemorial 
in Europe as one of the most dreaded pests of the hive. The 
moth is double-brooded, the first generation appearing on the 
wing in the latter part of May and the beginning of June, and 
the second in August. We cannot do better than to quote in 
this connection the following account of the insect which is given 
by Professor C. V. Riley in the “ First Annual Report of the State 
Entomologist of Missouri,” p. 166: 
“ During the daytime these moths remain quietly ensconced in 
some angle of the hive, but, as night approaches, they become 
active, and the female uses her best endeavors to get into the 
hive, her object being to deposit her eggs in as favorable a place 
as possible. Wire-gauze contrivances are of no avail to keep her 
out, as she frequently commences flying before all the bees have 
ceased their work. But even if she were entirely prevented from 
entering the hive, she could yet deposit her eggs on the outside, 
or, by means of her extensile ovipositor, thrust them in between 
the slightest joint or crack, and the young worms hatching from 
them would readily make their way into the hive. The moment 
406 
