Waxworms often harm bee colony combs, and it is worth understanding the control methods

Waxworms usually refer to the larvae of the greater wax moth and the lesser wax moth. They are named for their preference for feeding on beeswax and are one of the most common comb pests in beekeeping production. The adults are nocturnal moths that often fly into beehives at night to lay eggs, and after the larvae hatch they bore into the brood cells to feed on beeswax, pollen, and honey.

The harm caused by waxworms is mainly concentrated on the combs. The larvae spin silk webs and tunnel through the waxy combs, damaging the structure of the brood cells. In mild cases this affects the bees' brood rearing and honey storage, while in severe cases it causes an entire comb to be ruined. Strong colonies can clean up invading waxworms on their own, but when a colony is weak, the combs are prone to infestation.

Waxworm control should focus on prevention. In routine management, attention should be paid to keeping strong colonies, promptly cleaning wax debris and residue from the bottom of the hive to reduce sites for adult moths to lay eggs; empty combs that have been removed should be stored properly, and methods such as low-temperature freezing can be used to kill dormant eggs and larvae in the combs before they are sealed and stored in a ventilated, dry place.

Waxworms are not only harmful. Their larvae are often used as fishing bait and are also a source of artificial feed for reptiles, ornamental fish, and others, and they can be artificially reared using grain-based feed. In addition, some studies have reported that waxworms have a certain ability to degrade some plastics during feeding, which has therefore attracted attention in scientific research. It should be noted that in some areas, the white wax insect used to produce insect white wax is also called a waxworm, but the two are not the same type of insect.