316 Enemies of Bees — Moths. 



animals learn to battle new enemies, and vary their habits with 

 changed conditions, and they also transmit this knowledge and 

 their acquired habits to their offspring, as illustrated by setter 

 and pointer dogs. In time, may not this account for all those 

 varied actions, usually ascribed to instinct? At least, I be- 

 lieve the bee to be a creature of no small intelligence. 



EEMEDIES. 



Ir, Europe, late writers give very little Space to this moth. 

 Once -a serious pest, it has now ceased to alarm, or even dis- 

 quiet the intelligent apiarist. In fact, we may almost call it 

 a blessed evil, as it will destroy the bees of the heec'iess, and 

 thus prevent injury to the market? by their unsalable honey, 

 while to the attentive bee-keeper it will work no injury at all. 

 Neglect and ignorance are the moth breeders. 



As already stated, Italian bees are rarely injured by moths, 

 and strong colonies never. As the enterprising apiarist will 

 only possess these, it is clear that he is free from danger. 

 The intelligent apiarist will also provide not only against weak, 

 but queenless colonies as well, which from their abject dis- 

 couragement are the surest victims to moth invasion. Know- 

 ing that destruction is sure, they seem, if not to court death, 

 to make no effort to delay it. 



As my friend, Judge J. H. Andrews, asserts, no bees, black 

 or Italian, will be troubled with these insects so long as all 

 the combs are covered with bees. 



In working with bees an occasional web will be seen glisten- 

 ing in the comb, which should be picked out with a knife till 

 the manufacturer — the ruthless larva — is found, when it should 

 be crushed. Any larva seen about the bottom board, seeking 

 place to spin its cocoon, or any pupse, either on comb or in a 

 crack, should also be killed. If, through carelessness, a col- 

 ony has become thoroughly victimized by these filthy wax de 

 vourers, then the bees and any combs not attacked should be 

 transferred to another hive, after which the old hive should be 

 sulphured by use of the smoker, as before described, 

 then by giving one or two each of the remaining combs to 

 strong colonies, after killing any pupse that may be on them, 

 they will be cleaned and used, while by giving the enfeebled 

 colony brood, and if necessary a good queen, if it has any vigor 

 remaining it will soon be rejoicing in strength and prosperity. 



