Apiculture (0+1)

Wax Moth

Wax moth (Galleria mellonella)




Nature and extent of damage:

• The attack is more prevalent during monsoon
• The wax moth larvae (Fig. 16.4) tunnel through the mid ribs of the comb (Fig. 16.5) and there is presence of small mass of minute wax particles outside the tunnels
• In case of severe infestation, further brood rearing is stopped; bees stop field work and colony may abscond.
Prevention and control:

• Close cracks and crevices in the hive. Reduce hive entrance
• Remove combs not covered by bees. Keep the bottom board clean.
Control in storage: Keep spare combs in empty hive bodies in tiers and close both at bottom and top. Disinfect the stack by burning sulphur @ 180 g/ cubic metre (fumigation by sulphur fumes). After fumigation, put naphthalene flakes in moth proof stacks.