304 ENTOMOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WAX MOTH. 



cells, or if some black grains be seen which are the excre- 

 ment of the moth, then the conclusion may be drawn, that 

 the moth is carrying on its ravages. Notwithstanding, how- 

 ever, that the conviction is impressed on the mind of the 

 proprietor, that his hive is gradually hastening to destruc- 

 tion, and that he is fully apprised of the cause of that destruc- 

 tion, yet, if his bees be in the common hive, by what means 

 is the evil to be cured ? The construction of the hive 

 prevents him from penetrating to the seat where the evil 

 exists, and, therefore, he has only the choice left him of 

 suffocating the bees, to obtain possession of the honey which 

 it may contain, or patiently to await the destruction of th<- 

 hive, with the total loss of both bees and honey. 



Previously, however, to our entering into any further detail 

 of the means by which the wax moth may be destroyed, it 

 may be advisable to impart that information by which this 

 enemy of the bee may be recognised, and, we may add, the 

 most dangerous enemy which this climate generates ; for 

 such are the ravages which they commit in some seasons, 

 that their complete destruction would be one of the most 

 inestimable benefits, which could be bestowed upon every 

 one, who makes the culture of the bee his principal study. 



Entomology designates two species of wax moths, the 

 galleria cereana, and the galleria alvearia. The former is 

 the species now under our consideration, and is known by 

 the name of the wax moth, and in France by that of fausses 

 teignes, or false moths. It takes its name of galleria, accord- 

 ing to Fabricius, because its larva or worm moves only in a 

 gallery or tube, composed of threads covered with its excre- 

 ment and with wax. This moth is of the genus phalense, 

 and is seen on the wing only at twilight. Its colour is of a 

 darkish grey, with small spots or blackish streaks on the 

 interior edge of its upper wings ; it is about six lines in 

 length. When the female is about to lay her eggs, she steals 

 into the hive at night, and deposits them on the interior 



