Seasonal abundance of greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella L.) in hives of western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) correlates with minimum and maximum ambient temperature

Abstract

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L., is a natural pest of western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. They can overwhelm weakened honey bee colonies and occasionally cause significant losses to the beekeeping industry. In this study, we determined the seasonal abundance (No. moth larvae/hive) of G. mellonela larvae in hives of honey bees located in district Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Our data showed that the maximum moth abundance occurred during the regional dearth period, i.e. May–November. The peak abundance (14.8 ± 3.9 moth larvae/hive) occurred in August. A multiple correlation analysis was used to estimate the association between explanatory variables (multiple weather factors) and the abundance of wax moth larvae in hives, and a stepwise regression analysis was used to find the best explanatory variable for high abundance. All abiotic factors were correlated with the seasonal abundance of greater wax moth larvae but minimum and maximum temperature correlated with moth abundance more than did any other variable tested. The results of the study can be used when designing an integrated pest management strategy for the greater wax moth by allowing one to focus treatment strategies to time of year the moths are most abundant.