Pyralidae

62.001 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 12 to 17mm

Habitats: Woodland, parkland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies at dusk and comes to light

Foodplant: The larva feeds gregariously in the nests of Bumblebees Bombus spp. and wasps Vespula spp., usually choosing those above ground. It feeds from a silk gallery, at first on old cells and debris, but later on the comb and brood. The larvae pupate in stacks of brown paper-like cocoons at a sheltered site adjacent to the nest.