CHAPTER XVI 

 THE ENEMIES AND DISEASES OF BEES 



THE BEE-MOTH (Gatteria rwllonella) 



THIS miserable little pest is classic in its devasta- 

 tions as it is mentioned by the old writers, Aristotle 

 paying to it bitter tribute. It belongs to a family 

 of secretive moths which fold their dull wings 

 closely about the body, and thus look more like bits 

 of sticks than like insects. They are called the 

 snout moths (Pyralidac] because the palpi extend out 

 in front of the head in a highly ornamental and 

 striking manner. 



The bee-moth is a most insidious creature, hiding 

 in cracks, and, when it flies, darting about with 

 almost inconceivable swiftness. It is only by such 

 means that it eludes the watchful bees. Professor 

 Kellogg observes that the moth simply works against 

 time when it rushes into a hive by laying its eggs 

 rapidly, dodging about with the utmost rapidity to 

 leave as many progeny as possible before the bees 

 can get hold of her and tear her asunder, a fate which 

 surely awaits her. So it seems that even a parasite 

 may be brave and go to certain death in fulfilling its 

 destiny. Mr. Cook says that the moth will lay eggs 

 while her head and thorax are being dissected, which 

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