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How do wax moth larvae damage honeybee nests?

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Bumblebee pollination — Hymenoptera An endangered rusty patched bumblebee (*Bombus affinis*) browsing on a wild bergamot flower.

Wax moth larvae, particularly those of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), damage honeybee nests primarily by consuming and destroying honeycomb wax. While they do not attack adult bees, they frequently target weak colonies, consuming the combs before the bees have even vacated the hive.12

The damage extends beyond the wax itself:
* Stored Combs: Larvae can destroy combs that have been removed from the hive and placed in storage.2
* Structural Damage: When larvae prepare to pupate, they burrow into the soft wood of the beehive to spin their cocoons, which damages frames and other structural components of the hive.2
* Secondary Pests: Other species, such as the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) and the Mediterranean flour moth (Anagasta kuehniella), cause similar destruction to stored combs or feed on pollen within the hive.2

To protect hives, beekeepers focus on maintaining strong colonies and utilizing methods like fumigation or cold storage for equipment.2