TWO ENEMIES OF BEE KEEPERS. 



THE BEE MOTH, OR WAX MOTH, 



Gallcrio iiieHonclla Linn. 





'K -'.' 



V^^;^,- . Vi^^\l 



Fig. 81. f'oiiib baiUy affected with work of Bee Mot li. (>riginal. 



This insect, common as it is, does not appear to have receive(i 

 the attention it deserves, in the way of studying its hfe history, at 

 the hands of Entomologists ; at least, certain data in connection with 

 its life cycle are apparently lacking, and experiments have been con- 

 ducted in the insectaiy with the object of shedding some liglit upon 

 these points. 



Possibly the fact that modern hives, modern methods anrl conse- 

 quently strong colonies have reduced this evil to a minimum with most 

 bee-raisers, accounts for the apparent lack of work in the past upon 

 details, for a vigorous colony of Italians, in a good hive can ordinar- 

 ily take care of this pest. But, let a dwindling colony ( more par- 

 ticularly black bees) occupy a loose jointed hive, and the moth or 

 her progenv obtains entrance. It is perhaps unnecessary to describe 



