Sound and the Moths That Infest Beehives

Abstract

Both lesser wax moth, Achroia grisella (F.) and greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. males produce sounds using tymbals located on their tegulae. Wing movement twists one end of a tymbal causing it to buckle and produce an ultrasonic pulse. Both sexes are equipped with tympanic ears that hear the high-frequency sound. A. grisella females use the sound to locate males prior to copulation. In contrast, female G. mellonella respond to the sound with wing fanning. This wing fanning sets off a more complex, three-step behavioral sequence that allows the females to locate males by male-produced pheromone. Techniques that make use of the moth-produced sounds to detect and control these pests of bee products include locating calling males with electronic detectors and using acoustically-baited traps to capture receptive females.