Pyralidse 



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. cercana Linnseus ; cerella Fabricius ; obliqucUa Walker. 



The Bee-moth was undoubtedly introduced into this country 

 IVoni 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 



Fig. 226. — The Bee-moth, a, larva; b, cocoon; c, pupa; d, 

 female motli 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 Hying before all the bees have 

 ceased their work. But even if she were entirely prevented from 

 entering the !)ive, 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 



