GROWTH AND FEEDING OF HONEYBEE LARVAE. 9 
observed, but by comparing the weights given in Table 2 with the 
results given in Table 1 it may be seen that there is less variation 
with the method here described. 
OBSERVATIONS, LOT 8. 
EFFECT OF NO HONEY-FLOW. 
As will be noted from Table 2, a majority of the weighings here 
recorded were made during August. In the region of the Bee Cul- 
ture Laboratory (Somerset, Md., near Washington, D. C.) there 
is generally at this time of year an absolute dearth of incoming 
nectar and a consequent depletion of the reserve stores of the colonies. 
It was noticed that the average weights of the older larvae, par- 
ticularly of those over 4 days old, were consistently less than the 
values given in Table 1, Lots 1 to 5, for these ages, in certain cases 
as much as 6 to 8 per cent. In fact, many of the older larvae that 
were presumably of the desired age were discarded because they 
were abnormally under weight. The weights for the age period 
below 4 days did not show this marked divergence, presumably be- 
cause by the method used the variation in feeding in relation to 
the position of the larvae on the frame was to a large extent elimi- 
nated. Most of the earlier observations (Lots 1 to 7) were made 
during June and July, at a time when there is generally some nectar 
flow from clover and other flowers sufficient to keep the bees from 
drawing on their reserve stores. It was suspected in these experi- 
ments that the lack of stimulation might be affecting the weights and 
rate of growth, thereby somewhat lengthening the larval period and 
lowering the maximum weights. The fact that the majority of the 
larvae observed usually were not capped until about 18 to 24 hours 
later than most of those observed in Lots 1 to 7 seems to bear out 
this assumption of slower development. 
No observations were made on the. time period of emergence as 
adults, although the decrease in weight continued into the pupal 
period. It is known, however, that with certain other insects a 
scarcity of food often materially lengthens the developmental period. 
As stated above, insufficient food has a marked effect upon the 
weights of larvae and even of adults. 
Honeybee larvae are peculiarly adapted for rapidly consuming and 
assimilating large amounts of food. Little energy need be expended 
except for the slight movements of feeding. Therefore practically all 
the food assimilated is used for the growth of tissues or is stored for 
future use as required during pupation. As a result the rate of 
growth should be more or less proportional to the composition and 
amount of the food consumed, and probably would be more noticeable 
with the more simple food of the later stages. Anything affecting 
the amount of this unpredigested food would consequently affect the 
rate of growth. 
EFFECT OF STIMULATION. 
In an attempt to demonstrate whether the above assumption is 
correct, several series of larvae were subjected to conditions more 
nearly resembling the stimulative effects of a honey-flow. Frames 
containing eggs of known age were placed for development in a 
69525°— 24 2 
