If queens were thus caught when on the mating flight serious ‘loss 
would result, especially in a queen- -rearing apiary. The evidence 
that this occurs in New Jersey is not clear. 
Wax Moth 
The wax moth is a greyish insect (Fig. 40) measuring about 5/8 
inches long with a wing spread of 1 1/4 inches, which deposits its 
eges on unprotected bee eonib, and when the larva (Fig. 41) emerges 
Fig. 40. Wax moth (original). 
Fig. 41. Wax moth larva, enlarged (original). 
from the egg it feeds on the pollen and cocoons of the combs. 
As the larva develops in size it spins a silken gallery through 
the combs which serves as a protection against attacks of the bees. 
When the larva has attained its growth it spins a cocoon, and in 
due time the adult moth emerges. 
This insect causes loss to the beekeeper by damaging stored 
combs either with or without honey and also combs in colonies 
too weak to protect them properly. 
The black and hybrid bees do not show as great resistance to 
this insect as do the Italians. If only Italian bees are kept and’ the 
colonies are always strong, no damage will come to the colony from 
this source. 
Should a colony become weakened and be attacked by the wax 
moth it should either be strengthened, or all combs not covered 
by bees removed from the hive and fumigated with carbon bisul- 
phide or burning sulphur. 
In using either of these fumigants it must be remembered that 
the fumes al carbon bisulphide descend and the fumes of burning 
sulphur arise. Therefore, when carbon bisulphide is used it is 
put on top the combs to be fumigated; sulphur is put below. 
74 
