Bulletin No. 231 June, 1918 



THE BEEMOTH OR WAXWORM 



F. B. Paddock, M. B., 

 State Entomologist, Entomologist in Charge 



INTRODUCTION 



This paper is a revision of Bulletin 158 of ' this Station, now out 

 of print. The continued interest manifested in the beemoth makes 

 this revision and reprint necessary. Additional information has been 

 derived from experiments in the practical control of this pest since the 

 first treatise appeared in the aforementioned bulletin in 1913. 



In modern vrorks on apiculture the opinion is expressed that in the 

 present age of modern beekeeping the beemoth cannot be judged a pest 

 of the apiary. It is not only true that box hives favor this insect in 

 its work of destruction, but that warm climates also favor it, even 

 where movable frame hives are used. The long open winters in the 

 southern states allows this insect to feed freely on stored combs. No 

 doubt as the practice of producing extracted honey grows ' in the 

 northern states, that section Y^ill experience more trouble with the work 

 of this insect in the stored combs. 



At the present time the beemoth or waxworm is a serious hindrance 

 to the beekeeping industry in Texas, as well as in all of the southern 

 states. Many beekeepers no longer dread the beemoth but keep every 

 colony provided with a vigorous queen. Under such conditions it is 

 difficult for the beemoth to enter the hive to deposit its eggs. The 

 waxworm has become very largely an enemy of the box hive and a 

 destroyer of stored combs and honey and is .found usually around the 

 bee hive and in piles of used comb. In large apiaries, the wax and 

 comb that is carelessly left lying around affords ample food for the 

 insect to breed in. In this way the pest is maintained in a yard, ready 

 to infect any weak colony. With many beekeepers the beemoth is a 

 source of constant trouble, for if the bees are not closely watched and 

 become queenless the colony is certain to become infested in a short 

 time. If the beemoth once becomes established, it is hard to extermi- 

 nate. At present the beekeepers are not able more than to keep this 

 pest in check. It is hoped that a more thorough knowledge of the 

 habits and life history of the insect will result in a better control of 

 this enemy and a reduction of the loss now suffered from its ravages. 



Almost every beekeeper is acquainted with the work of the insect, 

 generally known as the "web worm" or "miller," but it is not com- 

 monly known that the worm, following maturity, develops into a moth 

 or miller. The worms or larvae feed in protected places, within the 

 comb, which makes them difficult to fight successfully. 



