6 CIRCULAR 386, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
the cells containing pollen are mostly avoided, although cells con- 
taining honey may be riddled. It is known, however, that larvae 
will eat pollen and develop on it. Wax moth larvae sometimes chew 
off the cappings of the cells containing sealed brood, and, while the 
bees may repair some of the damage, many cells will be left only 
partially closed. 
Although larvae can develop on foundation, the mortality of such 
larvae is high, and the developmental period of those which survive 
is much longer than that of normally fed larvae, and the resulting 
adults are small and almost white. It is almost certain that damage 
reported by beekeepers in Louisiana as caused by the lesser wax 
moth (Achroia grisella Fab.) is caused by such poorly fed larvae of 
Galleria mellonella, since no specimens of the true lesser wax moth - 
were observed during the author’s studies. When the larvae are 
forced to exist on the lighter comb and the outer portions of the 
cells which have been left untouched by the previous broods, the 
damage done by them, such as the webbing and external feeding, 
and their later appearance greatly resemble the work and appearance 
of the lesser wax moth. 
The optimum temperature for the development of the larvae is 
between 85° and 95° F., about that normally found in a beehive 
during the active season. At lower temperatures development is 
slower, but, unless the temperature falls below 60°. no other influence 
on the larva has been noted. At temperatures of 40° to 45° the 
larvae seem to become dormant, and no feeding or growth takes 
place. 
THE PREPUPA 
Before pupation the full-grown larvae spin a dense, tough, silken 
cocoon. Usually this cocoon is firmly attached to the side of the 
hive, to the frame, or other solid support, but in some cases the 
cocoons are found in the mass of tunnels and refuse of the wax of 
the frames or on the bottom of the hive (fig. 3). In many cases a 
hollow is chewed out of the wood of the hive or frame, and the 
cocoon is placed in this for added protection. Frames may be found 
in which holes have been bored completely through the end or top 
bars, and the cocoon and pupal case will be found inside these 
holes. This habit of the wax worm is responsible for a considerable 
part of the damage caused by the insect, since in heavily infested 
colonies not only the wax but also the frames are destroyed. In such 
cases particles of the wood borings are incorporated in the cocoon, 
which is then well disguised. The fully grown larvae migrate to 
considerable distances before the cocoons are spun, and pupal cases 
may be found beneath the hive and even on the more protected 
parts of the hive stand. 
THE PUPA 
Within the cocoon the larva changes to the pupa. The duration 
of the pupal stage within the cocoon ranges from 8 to 62 days, 
depending on temperature. As with many other insects, the pupal 
period allows the wax worm to pass through the fall and winter 
protected against climatic influence to a large extent. In the South, 
especially during warm winters, the adults may emerge at any time 
during the winter. 
