Besides consumption, what physical byproduct do developing wax moth larvae create in the comb structure?
Answer
Extensive webbing
The destructive impact of wax moth larvae within a beehive goes beyond mere nutritional depletion of resources like honey and pollen. As these larvae develop and move throughout the honeycomb structure, they excrete and create a significant amount of webbing. This silk-like material forms a dense network throughout the comb. This extensive webbing physically binds sections of the structure together and, more critically, can lead to the collapse of the stored combs. When combs collapse due to this webbing, they become entirely unusable for subsequent honey production or for rearing future bee colonies, resulting in significant economic loss for beekeepers.
Related Questions
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