How do strong, healthy honeybee colonies primarily defend against wax moths?
Answer
Recognizing silk and physically removing larvae
The most direct and effective biological defense against wax moth activity resides within the colony itself, provided the colony maintains adequate strength. Worker bees in populous, vigorous colonies possess the ability to identify the presence of the silk created by the larvae as they tunnel. Upon detecting this silk webbing and the larvae themselves, the guard bees actively engage in removing these pests from the comb structure. This protective behavior is robust enough to manage minor infestations, preventing them from escalating into significant problems, which is why major infestations primarily occur in hives suffering from weakness, disease, or poor management.
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