THE WAX MOTH AND ITS CONTROL 5 



period. Small, poorly nourished larvae, or those which, because of 

 low temperatures or other factors, develop slowly, transform into 

 small adults, sometimes less than half the normal size. Larvae fed 

 on dark brood combs transform into adults which may be dark gray 

 to almost black, while larvae reared on foundation become silvery- 

 white moths, which are smaller than those reared on brood comb. 

 The female starts depositing eggs from 4 to 10 days after emer- 

 gence and continues depositing them as long as her vitality lasts. 

 Egg laying may be rapid at times, and as many as 102 eggs have 

 been deposited by a female in 1 minute. The total number of eggs 

 laid by a female varies considerably, but it is usually less than 300. 

 The adults may live as long as 3 weeks. 



A * B 



C 



Figure 4. — Adults of the wax moth : A and B, With wings folded ; C and D, with 

 wings spread ; A and C, females ; B and D, males. Note the deep clefts in the 

 tips of the fore wings of the male. 



NUMBER OF BROODS 



It seems doubtful that there are definite generations of the wax 

 moth during different periods of the year in the Southern States. 

 Rather it is probable that the moth is always present, that larvae 

 in all stages, pupae, and adults may be found at any time, and that 

 development is continuous except during periods of low temperature. 



OTHER MOTHS CAUSING DAMAGE TO STORED COMBS 



The lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) also does some damage to 

 stored combs. Its work is similar to that of the wax moth, but the 

 tunnels are smaller, the webs finer, and feeding and webbing are more 

 confined to the outer surface of the combs. The Mediterranean 

 flour moth (Ephestia huehniella Zell.) is a pollen feeder but does 

 some damage to combs by boring tunnels through the midrib. This 

 moth also tunnels into brood cells and consumes the food intended 

 for the developing bee larvae. These two moths may be controlled 

 by the methods given for the wax moth. 



