" HYMENOPTERA. 



queenless, the workers take the partitions from be- 

 tween a worker cell, containing an egg or young larva, 

 and two adjoining cells; over the large space thus 

 formed they build a queen cell, and feed the young 

 worker larva royal jelly. As a result of this feeding or 

 some unknown cause the larva developes into a queen. 



Note habits of the queen, and manner of swarming. 



Compare specimens of Black-bees and Italian -bees. 



(1,117; 7.356—403; 20,313; 8, VI., 207— 728; 14, 

 II., 282).* 



Giiest. — The Bee-moth, Gallcria ccreana Fabr., is 

 often an unwelcome guest of the Honey-bee. The 

 eggs are laid within the hive or near its entrance. 

 The larvae feed upon the wax, making tunnels, which 

 they line with silk, through the comb in various direc- 

 tions. The larvre mature in about three weeks, and 

 spin dense silken cocoons in the corners of the hive or 

 in other protected places. The moth is dusky gray, 

 and more or less streaked with purple-brown. It ex- 

 pands nearly one inch and a half. There are two 

 broods, one appearing in April and May, the other in 

 August. 



The Humble-bees, Bombus. — Over forty species of 

 this genus are known to inhabit North America. As 

 with the Honey-bee, there are three forms of these 

 insects, — males, females, and workers. But unlike the 

 Honey-bees their societies exist only one season. In 

 the fall all the Humble-bees die except the impreg- 

 nated females. These hibernate ; and in early spring 

 each selects a place in which to build her nest, gener- 

 ally choosing a deserted mouse-nest. At first, the 



* For works on practical bee-keeping sec Bee Keeping by Qninby, and Langstrolb on 

 the Honey-bee. 



