Bee Moth Research Articles

A Fungal Metabolite as the Male Wing Gland Pheromone of the Bumble-Bee Wax Moth, Aphomia sociella L.

Abstract 3,4-Dihydro-9-hydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin [R(-)-mellein] was identified as the major component of the male wing gland pheromone of the bumble-bee wax moth, Aphomia sociella L. (Pyralidae, Galleriinae). The presence of Aspergillus ochraceus Wilhelm, a mellein producing microorganism, was detected in the intestines of last-instar larvae and in bumble-bee nests. Arguments for a new type of insect-fungus relationship are presented.

Neuronal modulation of photoreceptor activity in the bee moth Galleria mellonella.

ABSTRACT Pairs of light stimuli given at varying intervals causes changes in fast-adaptation characteristics in the bee moth Galleria mellonella. With increasing intervals between the stimuli of up to 1·0 sec there is a decrease in the amplitude of the visual response to the second stimulus. This depression of the response can be affected by a variety of agents which alter synaptic activity. Application of compounds such as Mg2* and nicotinic acid, which block synapses, to the optic ganglion lift depression. K+ and CO2 applied to the optic ganglion also abolish adaptation. Severing neuronal connexions between the retina and ganglion also lifts the depression. De-ganglionation and nicotinic acid also result in increases in absolute amplitude of the response. If Ca2+ is added to the Ringer bathing the ganglion, adaptation becomes more marked. These results suggest that the decreases in sensitivity following a brief light stimulus are mediated by synaptic feedback onto the receptor cells.

Observations on Certain Lepidopterous and Hymenopterous Parasites of Polistes Wasps

In an article entitled “Studies in the Ecology and Behavior of Polistes Wasps” (Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc. 33: 224–235, 1938, and 34:36–44, 1939) I state that Lepidopterous parasites, Dicymolomia pegasalis emerged from a nest of Polistes pallipes . This statement brought an inquiry from a friend who wanted to know what the moth had fed upon in its larval stage. Did it, he asked, feed upon the wasp-larva itself, or the larval excrement plastered against the ceiling of the cell or was it perhaps upon the papery material of the nest? This moth belongs to the family Pyralididae, a few of whose members, like those of the Tineidae and a few other families of small moths, have acquired strange and unusual feeding habits. Many species have strayed so far from the generally accepted vegetarian habits of Lepidoptera as to be nothing short of astonishing. Mr. H. I. O'Byrne has called my attention to a few of the most outstanding examples. For example, there are two species belonging to the family Pyralididae, Cryptoses choloepi [1][1] and Bradipodicola hahneli [2][2] which inhabit the fur of living sloths, living continuously in it and causing its matted condition. Then there are two species of moths, Tinea vastella [3][3] and T. orientalis [4][4] that have been bred from the horns of cattle, where they feed upon the horny tissue. The larvae of Zenodochium coccivorella [5][5] and of Euclemensia bassettella [6][6] are internal parasites of the females of Kermes (Coccidae). The caterpillar of the latter species cuts a lid in the Kermes' gall so that it may easily emerge when it becomes adult. Tinea fuscipunctella (Forbes, ibid. , p. 126) breeds in the trash of pigeon nests and Triohophaga tapetzella (Forbes, ibid. , p. 131) is a clothes moth and general scavenger often breeding in owl pellets; while the larvae of Monopis crocicapitella (Forbes, ibid. , p. 132) breed in seeds of absinth and in refuse, and have also been taken in caves in association with bats. The larvae of Valentinia glandulella (Forbes, ibid. , p. 310) are scavengers on acorn weevils, while V. quaintancella (Forbes, ibid. , p. 327) are known to feed on mummy-apples, i. e. , apples entirely black and shriveled up from disease. Pyroderous rileyi (Forbes, ibid. , p. 327) feeds on mummy fruits, rotten cotton-balls and stored corn. We must not forget the notorious wax moths, Galleria mellonella and Achroia grisella which are scavengers in the comb and the wax of the honey-bee, and finally we have certain species such as Aphomia sociella and Vitula edmandsii whose larvae are found in the nests of bumble bees (Forbes, ibid. , p. 631). [1]: #fn-1 [2]: #fn-2 [3]: #fn-3 [4]: #fn-4 [5]: #fn-5 [6]: #fn-6

On the issue of the immunity of the bee moth caterpillar (Galleria inellonella L) to tuberculosis

Experiments of Metalnikov with larvae of the bee moth (PM) are well known. A., on the basis of verification studies, believes that the ability of their blood to destroy bacilli in this way is not related to the process of splitting wax.

The respiratory metabolism of galleria mellonella (bee moth) during pupal development at different constant temperatures

Journal of Cellular and Comparative PhysiologyVolume 6, Issue 3 p. 351-368 Article The respiratory metabolism of galleria mellonella (bee moth) during pupal development at different constant temperatures Frederick Crescitelli, Frederick Crescitelli The Arnold Biological Laboratory, Brown UniversitySearch for more papers by this author Frederick Crescitelli, Frederick Crescitelli The Arnold Biological Laboratory, Brown UniversitySearch for more papers by this author First published: August 1935 https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030060303Citations: 23AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume6, Issue3August 1935Pages 351-368 RelatedInformation

Studies on the Metamorphosis of the Japanese Beetle (Popillia Japonica Newman) II. Changes in the pH of the Blood1

Bishop (1923a), by means of an electrometric method, studied the pH of the blood of the honey-bee larva and found it to vary from 6.77 to 6.95 with an average of 6.83. In larvae which were spinning, he noted an increased acidity, the pH ranging from 6.60 to 6.65. At the conclusion of spinning, the pH rises to its former value in the larva. He suggested that the increase in acidity may be one of the factors causing autolysis of larval tissues. In another paper, Bishop (1923b) reported the effects of acidity on the rate of autolysis of the fat body of the bee, in vitro. He found that in unbuffered solutions, both larval and pupal fat-body tissue autolyzes readily, but the tissue of the pupa to a greater extent than that of the larva. When the mixtures were buffered, the more acid mixtures autolyzed more completely. He concluded that, in vitro, the differences in rate and extent of autolysis of tissue from different stages are due to differences in the acidity of the autolysate. This suggests that the increase in acidity observed during spinning is favorable to the autolysis of larval tissue. Fink (1925) made colorimetric determinations on the blood of several species of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, at different stages of metamorphosis, and observed a change from a neutral to an acid reaction (pH 6.8 to 5.9) to take place during the prepupal and early pupal development, and the reverse change to occur as metamorphosis is completed. Taylor and Birnie (1932), using a glass electrode, also demonstrated an increase in the acidity of the bee moth, Galleria mellonella , during metamorphosis. The pH values ranged from 5.53 to 6.68 for the prepupae and pupae, and the pH curve was of the U-type.

Further Notes on the Bee Moth

Recent information obtained on distribution, life history, parasites and control methods of this pest (Galleria mellollella L.) are presented.

Respiratory Metabolism during Pupal Development of Galleria mellonella (Bee Moth)

Previous articleNext article No AccessRespiratory Metabolism during Pupal Development of Galleria mellonella (Bee Moth)Ivon R. Taylor and H. B. SteinbachIvon R. Taylor Search for more articles by this author and H. B. Steinbach Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Volume 4, Number 4Oct., 1931 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.4.4.30151164 Views: 4Total views on this site Citations: 19Citations are reported from Crossref Journal History This article was published in Physiological Zoology (1928-1998), which is continued by Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (1999-present). PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Şule Tütüncü, Mevlüt Emekci Effect of different controlled atmosphere gas compositions on the developmental time of Cadra cautella pupae at different temperatures, Journal of Stored Products Research 88 (Sep 2020): 101642.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2020.101642Margaret Keister, John Buck RESPIRATION: SOME EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS EFFECTS ON RATE OF RESPIRATION, (Jan 1974): 469–509.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-591606-6.50014-8Morris Rockstein, Jaime Miquel AGING IN INSECTS, (Jan 1973): 371–478.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-591601-1.50013-2BARBARA N. BURKETT RESPIRATION OF GALLERIA MELLONELLA IN RELATION TO TEMPERATURE AND OXYGEN, Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 5, no.44 (Apr 2011): 305–312.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1962.tb00595.xMargaret L. Keister Some observations on pupal respiration in Phormia regina, Journal of Morphology 93, no.33 (Nov 1953): 573–587.https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050930309T. D. Mukerjea The Relationship between the Stage of Development and Susceptibility to DDT and the Pyrethrins of Diataraxia oleracea (L.), Tenebrio molitor L., and Periplaneta americana (L.), Bulletin of Entomological Research 44, no.11 (Jul 2009): 121–161.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485300022999Alfred S. Sussman Studies of an Insect Mycosis. IV. The Physiology of the Host-Parasite Relationship of Platysamia Cecropia and Aspergillus Flavus, Mycologia 44, no.44 (Sep 2018): 493–505.https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.1952.12024211Pei Shen Chen A comparative study of the oxygen consumption in the three lethal mutants ?ltr?, ?lgl?, and ?lme? of drosophila melanogaster, Zeitschrift f�r Induktive Abstammungs- und Vererbungslehre 84, no.11 (Jan 1951): 38–70.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00311206 Daniel Ludwig , and Fred Rothstein Changes in the Carbohydrate and Fat Content of the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) during Metamorphosis, Physiological Zoology 22, no.44 (Sep 2015): 308–317.https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.22.4.30152057E. S. Guzman Barron, Theodore N. Tahmisian The metabolism of cockroach muscle (periplaneta americana), Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 32, no.11 (Aug 1948): 57–76.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030320105 Joy Bell The Heat Production and Oxygen Consumption of Pupae of Galleria mellonella at Different Constant Temperatures, Physiological Zoology 13, no.11 (Sep 2015): 73–81.https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.13.1.30151528C. Ellenby Metabolic Rate of Early vestigial and wild‐type Prepupse of Drosophila melanogaster in Relation to Genotype, Sex, and Size, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London A108, no.44 (Jul 2010): 525–538.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1939.tb00040.xIvon R. Taylor, Frederick Crescitelli Measurement of heat production of small organisms, Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 10, no.11 (Jun 1937): 93–112.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030100109E. M. K. Greiling, H. Jensen, G. E. Farrar Insulin, (Jan 1937): 197–279.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-47714-0_5Thomas Park Studies in population physiology. V. The oxygen consumption of the flour beetle, tribolium confusum duval, Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 7, no.33 (Feb 1936): 313–323.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030070302Frederick Crescitelli The respiratory metabolism of galleria mellonella (bee moth) during pupal development at different constant temperatures, Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 6, no.33 (Aug 1935): 351–368.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030060303Edgar John Boell Respiratory quotients during embryonic development (orthoptera), Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology 6, no.33 (Aug 1935): 369–385.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1030060304Frederick Crescitelli, Ivon R. Taylor CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF REDUCING SUBSTANCES DURING THE METAMORPHOSIS OF GALLERIA MELLONELLA (BEE-MOTH), Journal of Biological Chemistry 108, no.22 (Feb 1935): 349–353.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)75273-3D. F. Poulson Oxygen consumption of Drosophila pupae, Zeitschrift f�r Vergleichende Physiologie 22, no.44 (Jan 1935): 466–472.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572720

The Spread of the Bee Moth

The Spread of the Bee Moth

Oxygen consumption of individual pupae during metamorphosis

AbstractThe rates of oxygen consumption of single pupae of blowflies (Phormia terraenovae, Phormia regina, Lucilia sericata), of the flesh fly (Sarcophaga sarracenioides Aldrich), of the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella), and of the bee moth (Galleria mellonella) during metamorphosis, until emergence, have been determined. The record for each pupa, with the exception of those of blowflies, is practically continuous day and night during the period of pupal development which lasted from 140 to 300 hours, according to the species, at the temperatures used. During pupal development there is first a period of decrease in rate, which is later followed by a steady increase until a short time before emergence, when a sudden decrease occurs.The ‘oxygen curves’ of the blowfly pupae (Diptera) are quite different from those of the flour‐moth and bee‐moth pupae (Lepidoptera), although all are of the same general U‐shaped type. There are strong indications of a specific difference in the curves of the blow‐fly pupae. The flour‐moth pupae curves differ slightly from those of the bee‐moth pupae. During the major part of development the rates of O2 consumption of pupae of both sexes of bee moth and flour moth are about the same, but near the end of metamorphosis the females have higher rates than the males. No such sex difference appears among the dipterous pupae used.

The Chronological Distribution of the Beemoth

The spread of the bee moth, Galleria mellonella , over the globe is traced chronologically by countries. The elate of introduction is given wherever possible and the distribution with natural restrictions is given.

An Interesting Habit of a Wax Moth Parasite.*

During the fall of 1916, while rearing the bee moth, Galleria mellonella in the insectary for experimental purposes, a Pteromalid parasite Dibrachys clisiocampæ Fitch† was observed to be very common about the breeding cages. Further investigation disclosed the fact that these parasites were emerging from the cocoons of the bee moth. They were so abundant that very few of the larvæ of the host were able to pupate and come to maturity. This is interesting inasmuch as previous records of the parasite‡ give the host as the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria.