Wax Moth Larvae

Hey there, bee enthusiasts! Wax moths and their larvae are not generally your run-of-the-mill household pest. A little vexing for beekeepers  if you’re a beginner in beekeeping  or a bona fide beekeeper however you need to pay attention to them, as they can pose a real threat to your bee colony.

There are two types of wax moths, the Greater wax moth and the Lesser wax moth. They generally prefer to infest weaker colonies, so finding an infestation may mean your bees need some extra help.

Breeding Cycle

A wax moth goes to town with laying between 300 and 600 eggs in several sneaky, hard-to-find places! These tiny eggs are able to thrive in warmer temperatures and will bloom with in approximately five days. After the larvae emerge, they dig into the comb and pitch silk-lined tunnels. To be fair, the tunneling can result in deformed appendages of newly formed adult bees if the brood comb takes a hit (and by hit, I mean damage).

What Damage Can They Do?

Not only do the larvae of wax moths feast on the combs, they can do a bit of damage to the wooden frames of your hive, as well. They pupate directly on the frame, forming small cavities before entering their cocoons. With the number of cocoons between 300 and 600 that can produce some significant damage to your beekeeping apparatus.

What Do the Eggs Look Like?

They’re small, around half a millimeter, and begin as white or light pink and take on a yellow hue as they develop. They can be tricky for beekeepers to spot. Larvae of both wax moth types have a dark head and a white body that loses its hue, becoming grey, as they mature. The main difference? The Greater wax moth larvae grow larger (up to 28mm) while the Lesser wax moth larvae do not grow larger than about 13mm.

It is hard to completely control wax moths in storage areas, but the number one way to prevent them (and their larvae) is to keep your honeybee colonies strong and healthy. Even in the busiest of periods, the bee-to-comb ratio is a good target to aim for and keep that queen buzzing with vitality!

Ace Termite Treatment Kalamunda offers all pest control services in Kalamunda and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6540 or visit our website:

https://acetermitetreatment.com.au/