bee-keeper's manual. 319 



the combs. Having gained a position in the combs, the 

 worms commence weaving a silken shroud around them- 

 selves, to protect their bodies, leaving the head only 

 exposed, which is armed with a helmet impenetrable to 

 the sting of a bee. Protected in this manner, they move 

 from cell to cell, eating as they move, having only to 

 thrust out their heads to find food in any direction. 

 Their course is longitudinally through the centres of the 

 combs, seldom appearing on the surface. Their shroud 

 for protection, is carried along with them. Thus it will 

 be seen, how very difficult it is for bees to dislodge this 

 enemy, when a footing is obtained by them. 



There is but one way that they can be destroyed, 

 when fully fortified among the combs ; and that is, by 

 cementing them in with propolis. This the bees will 

 sometimes do, confining them to very close quarters, 

 and when all the food is consumed within their reach, 

 they perish. On other occasions, whole segments of 

 combs that have become infected, are destroyed by the 

 bees, in order to remove the evil. When the moth gets 

 the upper hand, and the worms begin to increase rapidly, 

 the bees stop all further labors, and the condition of the 

 family is readily known by their inactivity, and from 

 the numerous particles of pollen, comb, &c., upon the 

 bottom-boards of the hives, caused by the progress of 

 this insect. These particles are of a dark color, and 

 are most easily discovered in the morning, before the 

 winds arise, and before the bees commence sallying 

 out. For the purpose of detecting the ravages of this 

 enemy, hives having an open entrance on all sides. 



