Pyralidae

62.005 Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella (Fabricius, 1794)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 7.5 to 11mm

Habitats: Wherever beehives, bees or wasp nests are located, including gardens.

Habits: At dusk the moth flies around beehives, hovering at the entrance like a bee. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the wax in beehives and occasionally wasp nests, preferring old wax. The larvae can be abundant enougth to cause the bees to desert the hive. It will also eat dead insects and dried fruit. It pupates in a white, silk cocoon, usually near the entrance to the hive.