Glossary
A pest moth (Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella) whose larvae burrow through beeswax comb, destroying cells and leaving behind a trail of silk webbing and frass. Wax moths primarily target weak or abandoned colonies and stored comb equipment.
Greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella) are grayish-brown moths about an inch long that are attracted to the scent of beeswax, brood pheromones, and honey. Adult moths sneak into hives at dusk, laying eggs in cracks and crevices of the comb. When the eggs hatch, the larvae bore into the wax, tunneling through comb cells and feeding on beeswax, pollen, and cocoa-colored cocoon linings left behind by emerged brood.
As the larvae feed, they trail silk webbing through their tunnels. Advanced infestations produce thick mats of white silk that bind frames together and make the comb unusable. The frass (larval excrement) left behind further damages and contaminates the comb. A severe infestation in stored equipment can destroy an entire set of drawn comb in a few weeks.
In an active, healthy hive, wax moths are rarely a serious problem. Worker bees patrol the comb and physically remove moth eggs and young larvae. A populous colony with bees covering every frame leaves no undefended territory for moths to exploit. Wax moths become destructive when colonies are weak (few bees relative to comb space), recently died out, or when drawn comb is stored in warm, dark conditions.
Beekeepers face the wax moth challenge most directly when storing drawn comb (extracted frames) between seasons. The best non-chemical protection is cold storage: moths and larvae cannot survive freezing temperatures. Freezing frames for 48 hours kills all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults), and storing them in sealed containers afterward prevents re-infestation. In Florida, where cold storage is not always practical, keeping stored frames in well-ventilated, bright areas helps, since moths prefer dark, stagnant environments.
Wax moths rarely destroy a strong, healthy colony because the bees actively defend against them. However, they can devastate weak or queenless colonies that lack the population to patrol all their comb. If a colony dies from other causes, wax moths will quickly consume the abandoned comb.
Ecologically, yes. Wax moths serve as nature's cleanup crew, breaking down abandoned beeswax comb in wild nests. This recycling prevents old comb from accumulating indefinitely. Wax moth larvae are also used as fishing bait and as feeder insects for reptiles and birds.
Check for silk webbing between or on the surface of frames, small tunnels bored through the wax, dark frass deposits, and the presence of cream-colored larvae. Moth cocoons attached to the wood of the frame are a sign of advanced infestation.
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