The Bkemoth or Waxwoem 



placed in lantern globes having cheese cloth over the top. The habits 

 of the moth were observed in the large rearing cages. Sometimes fresh 

 cappings were supplied the moths for oviposition and for food for the 

 larvae. There was no apparent difference in the activity of the adults 

 with these two foods. 



LIFE HISTOEY 



The larva ("web worm") upon reaching maturity, constructs a cocoon 

 by means of silken threads which it is able to spin. After the cocoon 

 is completed, the larva changes to the pupal stage. This is the stage 

 in which the form of the larva is reconstructed to make the moth which 

 will emerge later from the cocoon. The moths mate and the females 

 deposit the eggs which hatch into the larva. This is called the 'life 

 cycle." 



The life history of the moth has been assumed by almost every writer 

 on the subject of beekeeping. No definite experiments, however, have 

 been recorded of observations on the details of the life cycle of this 

 insect in this country. The paper by Fletcher in 1911 gave data col- 

 lected in India. In the United States it is certain that the details of 

 the life cycle will vary much for there is evidence that even in this 

 State there is a variation within the broods as well as a seasonal vari- 

 ation. 



THE EGG 



The egg is elliptical and pearly white in color. The shell is slightly 

 roughened by wavy lines running across it diagonally at regular inter- 

 vals. If the egg is not deposited on dark comb, it is very difficult to 

 see and even then experience is necessary to detect all eggs present. 

 There is a slight variation in the size of the egg, as is shown by the 

 measurements given in the; following table: 



Table 1. — Measurements of eggs. 



From the foregoing table the average length was .478 mm. and the 

 average width was .394 mm. for the thirty-one eggs taken in the lab- 

 oratory over a period of three months. 



The embryonic development of the egg has not been studied, but a 

 few observations have been made uj^on the incubation period. Through- 

 out this period the egg gradually changes from a white to a yellow 

 color. About four days before hatching, the developing larva becomes 

 visible as a dark ring inside the shell. The perfectly formed larva can 

 be distinctly seen for at least twelve hours before the shell bursts. 

 During this time the larva is engaged in cutting an opening in the 



