Which stage of the wax moth causes substantial damage to hive materials?
Answer
Larval stage
The most significant damage associated with wax moths stems entirely from their larval stage. Once hatched, these larvae become voracious consumers, feeding heavily on beeswax, which forms the essential structure of the honeycomb. Furthermore, they degrade stored resources like pollen and honey. As they move through the comb structure, they create silken tunnels or galleries, which helps them hide while simultaneously trapping debris and making the comb structurally unsound, leading to devastating losses in active hives or stored equipment.
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