Damage of Galleria mellonella in Apis mellifera Colonies and Stored Combs

The present investigation was carried out at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar for two years (2016 and 2017). The comb area damaged by Galleria mellonella varied during different months. During both the years, comb area damaged by G. mellonella started increasing in April and increased till July. From August, the damaged area started decreasing in different and reached to lowest limit in March. The maximum comb area damaged was d in July. During both the years, the mean comb area damaged was lower in stronger colonies as compared to weak colonies. Correlation studies between comb area damaged by larvae in 4, 6 and 8 frame strength and weather parameters showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and maximum RH. In stored combs, cumulative comb area damaged per frame increased with the passage of time from June to October. In October, comb area damaged per frame was maximum when ten combs were stored in a hive body followed by 9, 8 and 7 combs whereas the minimum area damaged was in 6 combs.The correlation study indicated significant positive correlation between extent of comb area damaged by wax moth larva with maximum temperature, maximum humidity and non-significant with minimum temperature and minimum RH.