The lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) is a small moth of the snout moth family (Pyralidae) that belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. Adults are about 0.5 inches (13 mm) in length and have a distinct yellow head with a silver-grey or beige body.[2] Lesser wax moths are common in most parts of the world, except in areas with cold climates. Their geographic spread was aided by humans who inadvertently introduced them to many regions worldwide.[1][3][4]
The mating systems of the lesser wax moth are well researched because they involve sound production. Lesser wax males produce ultrasonic pulses in order to attract females.[5] Females seek the most attractive males and base their decisions on characteristics of the male sound.[6] While sex pheromones are also emitted by the males, male calling is more effective in attracting mates.[7]
Because lesser wax moths eat unoccupied honey bee combs, they are considered pests to bees and beekeepers. However, unoccupied combs can harbor harmful pathogens that inflict damage to neighboring insects. By eating the combs, the moths can reduce the harm to insects of that region and provide a clean space for other organisms to inhabit.[8]
^ abSavela, Markku. "Achroia grisella (Fabricius, 1794)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
^"Lesser Wax Moth". University of Florida.
^Clarke, John Frederick Gates (1986). "Pyralidae and Microlepidoptera of the Marquesas Archipelago". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 416 (416): 1–485. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.416.
^"Fauna Europaea".
^Cite error: The named reference Spangler1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Cordes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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^Cite error: The named reference Florida was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
The lesserwaxmoth (Achroia grisella) is a small moth of the snout moth family (Pyralidae) that belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae. The species was...
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world. It is one of two species of wax moths, with the other being the lesserwaxmoth. G. mellonella eggs are laid in the spring, and they have four life...
the insect. In tiger moths, the tymbals are modified regions of the thorax and produce high-frequency clicks. In lesserwaxmoths the left and right tymbals...
lepidopterans (moths), making up around 41% of the diet - in particular the noctuid species. For example, the species preys on the lesserwaxmoth by identifying...
and lesserwaxmoths feed on the honeycomb inside bee nests and may become pests; they are also found in bumblebee and wasp nests, albeit to a lesser extent...
known as cera alba) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal...
allow it to be infiltrated by a lesserwaxmoth, Achroia grisella. When her eggs hatch, the larvae devour honey and wax and undermine the structure of...
Acherontia styx, the lesser death's head hawkmoth or bee robber, is a sphingid moth found in Asia, one of the three species of death's-head hawkmoth. It...
caterpillar larvae of the greater (Galleria mellonella) and lesser (Achroia grisella) waxmoths (subfamily Galleriinae). They are natively pests of beehives...
of Colorado has on bait that usually involve live bait. Oftentimes, lesserwaxmoth caterpillars and earthworm are popular in Colorado since trout with...
generally needs no treatment to control waxmoths; the bees themselves kill and clean out the moth larvae and webs. Waxmoth larvae may fully develop in cell...
undiscovered moth with a proboscis whose length was unprecedented at the time. His prediction had gone unverified until 21 years after his death, when the moth was...
common name of woolly apple aphid. The wax is produced after each moult so newly moulted individuals lack the wax coating, the main purpose of which is...
the toxin. A commonly recommended first-aid treatment is to use depilatory wax or sticky tape to remove the hairs. The Kuku Yalanji people of Mossman Gorge...
Crickets are normally killed by deep freezing. Waxworms are the larvae of waxmoths. These caterpillars are used widely across the world for food, fish bait...
called jujube, red date, Chinese date Benincasa hispida, Cucurbitaceae, AKA wax gourd, ash pumpkin, or Chinese Preserving Melon. Durian (Durio spp; family...
needed] Bay leaves can also be used scattered in a pantry to repel meal moths, flies, and cockroaches. Mediouni-Ben Jemaa and Tersim 2011 find the essential...
moth (Phytomyza horticola) species are among those that do most damage to shoots and foliage. The most frequently occurring pests are the winter moth...
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