8 CIRCULAR 386, U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
a female varies to a considerable extent under laboratory conditions, 
but it is usually less than 3800. The adults may live as long as 3 weeks. 
NUMBER OF BROODS 
It seems doubtful whether there are definite generations of the wax 
moth during different periods of the year in the Southern States. 
Rather 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. 
iC 
Ficurre 4.—Adults of the wax moth: A and B, With wings folded; C and D, with wings 
spread; A and C, females; B and D, 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 surface of the combs. The Mediterranean 
flour moth (L'phestia kuehniella 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 (A/onomoriwm 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 
