Wax Moth
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What it is.
- It is a moth that destroys wax comb
- Comes in two forms:
- Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella
- Greater Wax Moth Galleria melonella
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What it is not
- It is not a parasite.
- It is not a predator
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Life cycle of wax moth
- Complete metamorphosis so four stages
- Egg
- Female lays 50 to 150 eggs in spring in dark place near old comb
- She will repeat this several times a year.
- Eggs take 3 to 5 days to hatch depending on environment
- Larva
- Larvae burrow through comb.
- They eat wax, bee brood, propolis, cast skins.
- They moult 7 times as they grow.
- They leave a fine silken web and faeces.
- Pupa
- After about 6 weeks it spins a cocoon and pupates.
- Coccoon often in wall of hive leaving a boat shape.
- Adult
- The adult emerges after 5 to 8 days.
- The time depends on temperature and humidity.
- Adult male lives for 21 days
- Adult female lives for 12 days.
- Adult wax moth does not eat
- Female finds dark space to mate then lay eggs.
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How do you recognise it?
- A fine mesh of cobweb over the frames
- Grubs - off white 1cm long approx crawling over frames
- Bald brood - a straight line of open cells
- Wax moth larvae burrow comb in a straight line
- For bald brood not in a straight line see the bald brood page
How do you get it?
- Adult female moth will fly into your hive and lay eggs
How do you cure it?
- Keep a strong colony of bees.
- A strong colony will kill the larvae and the adults
- Place used comb in the freezer before storing or reusing it
- 2 days in the freezer destroys eggs, larvae and adults.
- Keep the hive space just large enough for the colony
- You do not want any spaces the bees cannot defend.
- Store comb in well ventilated, well lit areas - sunlight on all sides
- Wax moth likes dark areas to lay eggs
How do you prevent it?
- There is no prevention possible - only cure
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