328 COLLEGE ZOOLOGY 



known as swarming. The old hive is not broken up, but continues 

 its existence as before. 



Swarming occurs in May, June, or July, according to latitude, 

 and a second swarming period may be inaugurated if weather 

 conditions result in a midsummer flow of honey. Before issuing 

 from the lib e, the honey sacs are filled with honey to serve until 

 a new hoire is found. The swarm, after flying a short distance, 

 comes to r^ st upon the limb of a tree or other object, where it 

 remains sometimes for several hours. A site for the new colony 

 is sometimes chosen by scouting bees several days before the 

 swarm lea ves the parent hive. These scouts may also partially 

 prepare the place by cleaning out loose dirt, bark, etc. The 

 usual choice is a hollow tree, such as the wild ancestors of the 

 honey-bee inhabited, and henceforth is called a " bee tree." One 

 of the duties of the bee-keeper is to hive the swarms before they 

 succeed in escaping to the woods. Swarms may also be formed 

 artificially. 



The Enemies and Diseases of Bees. — The bee-moth, 

 Galleria mellionella, bee-louse, Braula cceca, kingbird, toad, 

 lizard, spider, rat, skunk, bear, and other bees are all enemies of 

 the honey-bee. Weak or neglected hives are especially liable to 

 attack, and the bee-keeper is often obliged to help his bees com- 

 bat the foe. The principal diseases of bees are foul brood, which 

 is an infectious disease due to bacteria, and dysentery, which is 

 usually caused by improper food or long confinement in the 

 hive. 



b. The Anatomy and Physiology of Insects in General 



There are a larger number of species of insects known than of all 

 other animals combined. Over three hundred thousand have 

 been described and the number still unknown can only be 

 imagined. The number of individuals of many species is also 

 enormous. Insects range in size from y^V mm. long (certain 

 parasites) to over 155 mm. in length (Dynastes hercules, the 

 Venezuelan beetle). 



