A study on the incidence & life cycle of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L in bee keeping unit of Karanja (Ghadge), Wardha, Maharashtra

Abstract

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is considered as a serious pest of honey bee, causes highest losses to the apiculture industry. A survey of bee keeping unit of Apis cerana indica in Karanja (Ghadge), District Wardha was carried out during the period of June 2024 to March 2025 to study the incidence and life cycle of wax moth Galleria mellonella. The incidence of wax moth was observed during the month of June - September in some movable frame hive of Apis cerana indica. The incidence of wax moth was found to be in peak (32%) in the month of August causing great damage to the frame hive causing mortality of eggs, larvae and pupa of the colony and also affects the honey production. In month of August greater number of wax moths in different stages (larvae, pupa, moth) in the movable frame hive boxes were recorded. The infestation was found to be decrease from September, while during winter season no incidence of wax moth was recorded. It was observed in the study that movable frame hive without regular cleanliness and unhygienic condition with a smaller number of bee’s population was more susceptible to wax moth attack as compared to the movable frame hive with regular cleanliness and good hygienic condition with a greater number of bee’s population. The honey bees from highest infested movable frame hive leave the frame hive and swarm to other places. The life cycle of G. mellonella consist of egg, larva, pupa and moth/adult. The life cycle duration recorded was 72-94 days with larval and pupal duration of 42-56 days and 12-14 days respectively.