Seasonal occurrence of greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella Linn.) in Western honey bee (Apis mellifera Linn.) colonies under Terai agro-ecological region of West Bengal

In the current investigation the seasonal incidence of G. mellonella on A. mellifera colonies was observed in the terai agro-ecological region of West Bengal, India. Maximum incidence of greater wax moths was noted during June to August with peak incidence in the month of July (13.83 ± 0.68 no. of individuals/hive). Maximum percentage of hives with moth infested combs also noted in the month of July (88.75% ± 2.95%). Different weather factors like maximum and minimum temperature and minimum relative humidity showed significantly positive correlation with the incidence of wax moths, whereas rainfall showed negative and non-significant correlation. The results that come out from the study can be used for designing integrated pest management protocols against the wax moths that will allow the beekeepers to focus on that particular time period when this pest is more abundant.