200 ENEMIES OF BEES. 



moving them to the right and to the left alter- 

 nately. Woe to the unfortunate moth that comes 

 within their reach ! " It is curious," says HUBER, 

 " to observe how artfully the moth knows to 

 profit, to the disadvantage of the bees, which re- 

 quire much light for seeing objects ; and the pre- 

 cautions taken by the latter in reconnoitring, 

 and expelling so dangerous an enemy." Adroitly 

 gliding between the guards, the moths will often 

 contrive to insinuate themselves, unperceived, into 

 the hives, and riot upon the honey. When they 

 have obtained possession, they deposit their eggs 

 upon the sides of the combs ; the caterpillar is 

 formed and inclosed in a case of white silk ; at 

 first, it is like a mere thread, but gradually in- 

 creases to the size of a quill, and during its growth 

 feeds upon the wax around it. It seems very 

 extraordinary, and would be almost incredible if 

 the fact were not well attested, that such tiny 

 creatures should live in the midst, and at the ex- 

 pense of myriads of such formidable insects as 

 bees, protected as they are by coats of mail, 

 armed with weapons of offence, and ever watchful 

 of their treasure. Such, however, is the havoc 

 sometimes made by these apparently insignificant, 

 but active enemies, as now and then to compel a 

 colony of bees to emigrate, and seek another 

 habitation. 



In this country, where the apiary is generally 



