Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/155

Rh This insect is of gigantic size, and is endowed with great strength, and it is conjectured by Huber to possess a faculty like that which he supposes to reside in the Queen-bee, of emitting a certain sound which strikes the bees with terror, and thus enables it to extend its ravages with impunity. While in the caterpillar state, it feeds on the leaves of the potato, and makes its appearance in its last and perfect state towards the end of summer. It is described as most injurious to the bees on the continent, and in some parts of Africa; fortunately it is seldom seen in this country. Wasps, particularly those of the hornet species, are most destructive to bees. We have often observed one of these marauders enter a hive with fearless intrepidity, and, watching its motions through the glazed frame, have been astonished by its feats of strength and agility. In ascending the combs it is, of course, instantly attacked by the rightful inhabitants; if one only venture to assail it, the unfortunate bee has no chance of victory, and but little of escaping with life; if five or six cluster round it, as is generally the case, and cling close to its body, endeavouring to pierce it with their stings, their efforts are set at nought by the intrepid wasp, which struggles with unwearied obstinacy, rolls along the floor of the hive so closely enveloped in a mass of bees, that but little of its body is visible, and though at last it is forced by overwhelming numbers to take to flight, it flies off apparently uninjured from the conflict. These