THE BEE-MOTH. 493 



"In performing these operations, the insect might be ex- 

 pected to meet with opposition from the bees, and to be grad- 

 ually rendered more assailable as it advanced in age. It never, 

 however, exposes any part but its head and neck, both of 

 which are covered with stout helmets, or scales, impenetrable 

 to the sting of a bee, as is the composition of the galleries that 

 surround it." — Bevan. 



Fig. 217. 



GALLEKY OF MOTH WOHM. 



806. The worm is here given of full size, and with all its 

 peculiarities. The scaly head is shown in one of the worms; 

 while the three pairs of claw-like fore legs, and the five 

 pairs of hind ones, are delineated. The tail is also furnished 

 with two of these legs. The breathing holes are seen on the 

 back. 



Fig. 218. 



THli WORMS. 



807. Wax is the chief food of these worms, but as Dr. 

 Donhoff says: "Larvae fed exclusively on pure wax vsdll 

 die, wax being a non-nitrogenous (221) substance, and not 

 furnishing the aliment required for their perfect develop- 

 ment"; and his statement agrees with the fact that their 

 larvffi prefer the brood-combs, which are lined with the skins 

 cast away by the bee-larvae (167), and which, in conse- 

 quence, are more liable to be devoured than the new ones. 

 In fact, they eat pollen and propolis, and while making their 



