INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



435 



the larva? begin to tunnel through the comb, feeding upon the wax and 

 lining their burrows with silk. In time the entire comb may be 

 destroyed and rendered a mass of refuse. The length of the larval 

 period varies from forty-five days for the first brood to thirty-five days 



for some of the second brood, and 

 to several months for others of the 

 second and for those of the last 

 brood, which pass the winter in this 

 stage. The cocoons are spun dur- 

 ing the night around the edges of 

 the frames, in cracks or on the 

 inside walls of the hives or any 

 place near the infested comb. 



Fig. 440. — The bee moth, Galleria 

 meilonella (Linn.). Portion of cocoons 

 removed to show pupa and larva at left 

 top ; pup* at right top ; larvae in mid- 

 dle ; cocoons at bottom. Natural size. 

 (Original) 



Fig. 441. — The bee moth, Galleria 

 meilonella (Linn.). Adult moth rest- 

 ing upon the frame and cocoons on 

 upper side of frame at top; adult fe- 

 males at bottom. Natural size. (Orig- 

 inal) 



They are often massed side by side in large numbers. The moths move 

 only at night and remain perfectly motionless during the day. 



Nature of Work. — The damage to the comb is done by the larva' 

 and consists in completely destroying it if the ravages are not ehecked. 

 Large masses of frass and black excrement are usually visible on the 

 surface of the comb or upon the bottom of the hives where infesta- 

 tion occurs. Stored as well as comb honey is attacked. 



Distribution.— This moth is generally distributed throughout the 

 bee-raising sections of the State. 



Food. — The larva? feed upon the wax. exuviae and excrement of the 

 honey bee. 



Control.— Artificial control of this pest consists in keeping a close 

 watch of the apiary and stored comb honey and in fumigating the 

 hives or infested material with carbon bisulfid at the rate of from V, 

 to 2 pounds to 100 cubic feet of air space, or hydrocyanic acid gas at 

 the rate of 2£ ounces of sodium cyanide and proper proportions of sul- 



