Greater Wax Moth:1 Behavior of Larvae2, 3

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Abstract
Larval behavior of Galleria mellonella (L.) was observed in apiaries of the honey bee Apis mellifera L., and in the laboratory. The 1st instars fed on honey, and then dispersed to all colonies of the apiary where they infested brood combs, primarily in areas of unsealed brood or pollen. Larvae tunneled into cell walls until bees capped their brood, and then fed in the capped cells. After the bees emerged, worker bees captured moth larvae as cells were cleaned and repaired. Small captured larvae were eaten by bees; larvae that escaped capture until late instars were removed from the colony. Bees tried to sting large larvae, but larvae were resistant to penetration of the sting.

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