8 CIECULAB. 3 8 6, V. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTUEE 



a female varies to a considerable extent under laboratory conditions, 

 but it is usually less than 300. The adults may live as long as 3 weeks. 



NrMBESt OP BROODS 



It seems doubtful whether there are definite generations of the wax 

 moth during different periods of the year in the Southern States. 

 Kather it is probable that the moth is always present, that larvae in 

 all stages, pupae, and adults may be found at any time, and that devel- 

 opment goes on except during periods of low temperature. 



-4 ^ B 



Figure 4. — Adults of the wax moth : A and B, With wings folded ; C and D, with wings 

 spread ; A and C, females ; B and O, males. Note the deep clefts in the tips of the fore 

 wings of the male, 



OTHER MOTHS CAUSING DAMAGE TO STORED COMBS 



Mention has been made of the lesser wax moth, but this moth does 

 not cause so much damage to stored combs as does the wax moth. The 

 work of the lesser wax moth is similar to that of the wax moth, but 

 the tunnels are smaller, the webs finer, and feeding and webbing are 

 more confined to the outer surf a,cc of the combs. The Mediterranean 

 flour moth {Ephestia huehnieTl<i Zell.) is a pollen feeder rather than 

 a wax feeder but does some damage to combs by boring tunnels 

 through the midrib. This moth also tunnels into brood cells and 

 consumes the food intended for the developing bee larvae. These 

 moths, also, may be controlled by the methods given in this circular. 



NATURAL CONTROL 



The bees are the greatest and most effective natural enemies of the 

 wax moths. They will, when the colony is strong, carry them bodily 

 out of the hive, and there is no better insurance against the ravages 

 of the pest than to have the combs populated with a strong colony 

 headed by a vigorous queen. 



A small red ant {Monomarivmi. sp.), which seems to have a wide 

 range of foods, has been quite effective in controlling the wax moth 

 in laboratory experiments by feeding on resting wax moths during 

 daylight, but it has not been observed attacking larvae in combs under 



