lo Feb., 191 2.] Bee-keeping in Victoria. xix 



The 1 9 10 vintage, in parts of Burgundy and Champagne, was reduced 

 by fully one-half, owing to the ravages of two web- forming, bunch cater- 

 pillars, known locally as Cochylis and Eudemis. Another species the 

 common name of which is Pyrale* is often very destructive, especially 

 near Bordeaux. 



Though satisfactory to know that we have not to deal with either of 

 these, we must not underestimate the enemy, for we have no guarantee that 

 the Australian Cacacia, if left to itself, might not develop into an equally 

 redoubtable pest, especially under such conditions as prevail at Mildura. 

 where the vine-planted areas are so continuous as to practically constitute 

 one vast vineyard, as is also often the case in France. I do not wish to 

 be thought an alarmist, but I consider that we have here a pest which 

 requires careful watching, and I am glad that you are advising growers 

 to take immediate steps to stamp it out. 



At the time of my last visit to Mildura (15th November) though 

 little damage had been done, bunches with webs in them were quite 

 numerous, so much so that I requested several growers to .send you speci- 

 mens for identification. At that time, most of the insects had already 

 left their webs. It was, in fact, rather difficult to find one. A second 

 generation will no doubt make its appearance shortly, when I hope fresh 

 specimens will be forwarded to you; it is not impossible that we have to 

 deal with more than one species, and we cannot have too much informa- 

 tion on the subject. Growers would not only be studying their own in- 

 terests, but also those of the industry at large, if they would immediately 

 forward to you specimens of any strange insects that may appear from 

 time to time in their vinevards or orchards." 



BEE-KEEPING IN VIOTOIUA. 



F . R. Beuline, Bee Expert. 

 {Continued from page J.) 



II.^THE BEES. 



There are many terms used in connexion with bees which are liable 

 to cause misunderstanding when wrpngly applied by the uninitiated. 

 Some of these words have a general as well as a specific meaning. Any 

 community of bees m.ay be called a colony, but in practice the term is 

 only applied to bees established in a dwelling provided by man. Colonies 

 in trees, rocks, or other natural abodes are known as bees' nests. While 

 a hive of bees denotes a colony in an artificial dwelling the dwelling itself 

 without bees or combs is known as a bee hive. Communities of bees on 

 the wing, clustered outside away from the hive, or inside the hive without 

 combs, are called swarms. 



Every normal colony of bees in the active season consists of three 

 classes of individuals, viz., the queen, a large number of workers, and a 

 variable number of drones. The queen is the mother of all the other 



* According to French authorities the scientific names of these are — for the first. Cochylis 

 roserana (or Tortrix ambiguelH) : for the second, Eudemis botruna: whilst that of Pyrale U Tortri.v 

 ( (Enophtira ) Pille rian a. 



