The Beemoxh or Waxavorm 



15 



in the refuse under the comb and this mass of webs affords an excellent 

 protection to the piipa. The most common places are cracks or corners 

 about the hive, or between the frames and the hive or in the "bee 

 space" at the end of -the top bars. The larva prefers to get into a 

 place which it can chew in order that a cavity may be constructed and 

 the cocoon thus be better protected. 



Having found the location for the cocoon, the larva begins the spin- 

 ning of the silk thread about itself, starting just above the head and 

 working backward more than the length of the body. A thin layer of 

 silk is spun in the general shape of the cocoon and this frame work is 

 covered with fine silk from the inside. The larva is able to reverse 

 itself within the cocoon, which it does many times during its con- 

 struction. The outer layer, upon hardening, becomes very tough, and 

 even like parchment, while the inner layer remains soft and fluffy. 



CONSTRUCTION OP COCOON 



The time consumed in the spinning varies with the season and varies 

 most in the cooler portions of the year. Within the brood there is some 

 variation. 



Table 8. — Period of cocoon construction, summer 1912. 



Started. 



Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 10, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 12, 

 Aug. 12. 

 Aug. 12. 

 Aug. 12, 

 Aug. 12. 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 13. 



1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 ■1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1932 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 



Completed. 



Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 12, 

 Aug. 12, 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 14, 

 Aug. 11, 

 Aug. 15, 

 Aug. 15, 

 Aug. 16, 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug 13, 

 Aug. 14, 

 Aug. 14, 

 Aug, 13. 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 13, 

 Aug. 15, 

 Aug. 15, 

 Aug. 15, 



1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 

 1912 



Period. 



1 day 



2 days 



2 days 



3 days 



3 days 



4 days 

 1 day 

 4 days 

 4 days 



days 



days 



days 



days 



days 



day 



day 



day 



days 



days 



days 



The average period of construction of the cocoon of this brood was 

 2.25 days. The cocoons were spun in cages in the laboratory with 

 normal temperatures. 



Table 9. — Period of cocoon construction, fall 1912. 



