Photo: J. J. Ward. 



FULL-FACE PORTRAIT OF THE COMMON WASP 



The large compound eyes are well seen, and above these are the feelers or antennae. Protruding underneath the front of the head are 

 some of the biting mouth-parts, and the first pair of legs are also seen. Note also the numerous setae or bristles. 



"ISLE OF WIGHT DISEASE" HAS SPREAD ALL OVER BRITAIN, CAUS- 

 ING THE RUIN OF THOUSANDS OF BEEHIVES 



It is associated with the presence of a very minute mite (Tarsone mnus woodf) 

 in certain air-tubes or tracheae of the bee. The figure shows an enlargement of 

 a branching air-tube with a mite's egg (i), an immature female (2), a mature 

 female (3) struggling out. In Fig. 4 is shown a mature mite still more en- 

 larged ; note the four pairs of walking-legs with bristles and two pairs of piercing 

 and sucking mouth-parts. The mite feeds on the bee's blood, and as the num- 

 bers increase the infected air-tubes become blocked. This means that certain 

 muscles, e.g. those of flight, are bereft of their normal supply of oxygen and 

 naturally go out of gear. The bees are unable to fly, and crawl about help- 

 lessly in front of the hive. 



