96 



THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



Ravages of Wax-moth Lance through 

 a Comb. 



rib and through the cells of the comb (see illustration), thus 

 rendering the combs nearly valueless to the bee-keeper. They 

 leave a quantity of dirt and 

 material, something like a t^ -•s / tfif^- 



spider's web, but woven into riini;anli1iter -*> 

 the form of a tunnel, through 

 which the larvae traverses 

 the comb ; this is very diffi- 

 cult of removal. Where any 

 traces of moth are discover- 

 able in combs, they should 

 be exposed to the fumes of 

 burning sulphur. All scraps 

 of wax and other debris 

 should be rigorously kept 

 from the store-room or 

 apiary, as this attracts moths 

 and provides lodgings for 



them. The larvae whenever seen should be killed ; they will 

 frequently be found on top of the frames and between the folds 

 of the quilts, or anywhere where the bees are unable to dislodge 

 them. They are very like the white maggots found in apples, 

 and move very rapidly when disturbed ; they vary much in 

 size, from -^va.. to the full-grown one of lin. 



149. Spiders. — These should be kept from spinning their 

 webs near the entrances of hives. 



150. Ants. — These are a nuisance, and no doubt consume a 

 small quantity of honey; but they do little injury. A piece of 

 flannel wrapped round each leg or stand of a hive, and occasionally 

 saturated with carbolic acid, will prevent their entrance. 



151. Earwigs. — These do no harm to the bees or stores, but 

 they make a nasty mess about the inside of the hives. As they 

 are provided with wings, the bee-keeper is powerless to prevent 

 their entrance. The plan advocated for ants will, however, pre- 

 vent the entrance of many. 



152. Aphides. — We now come to one of those enemies which, 

 though not causing any visible damage to the colony at first sight, 

 do more harm to bees and bee-keeping than all the foregoing 

 massed together. Aphides, by some termed Green or Black Fly 

 and blight, are a considerable source of inconvenience to the 

 gardener, different varieties of the species attacking different 

 plants or trees, in many cases totally destroying them. They are 

 a parasitic insect, and in most cases adhere to the tender shoots 

 of the plant in clusters, sucking the juices and thus destroying the 

 platit. There is a most peculiar arrangement in many species, at 

 the extremity of the body, consisting of two horns ; from these 



