Honeycomb Moth, or BEE-MOTH (Galleria), a genus of small moths in the same family as the Grass-moths (Crambns), and noteworthy for the habit some of the species have of infesting bee-hives. There they deposit their eggs; and the larvæ feed on the honeycomb, through which they make tunnels lined with silk. In a corner of the hive the cocoons are spun, and the metamorphoses accomplished. There are two broods in the year, and the later pupæ sleep through the winter. The best-known species, G. mellonella, is a satiny moth, about an inch across the wings. When they occur in numbers they are very injurious or even quite fatal to the hive. They appear to enjoy immunity from the stings. A smaller species (G. alvearia) is also distinguished by some authorities. Humble-bee nests are infested as well as bee-hives.