Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella
Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella
Adult • Lancashire • © Geoff Riley

62.005 BF1426

Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella

(Fabricius, 1794)


Wingspan 16-24 mm.

This rather small and plain-looking moth has an interesting life-history. The larvae feed on the wax of old honeycombs in bee-hives, though they are also known to feed on dried fruit and dead insects.

Fairly common throughout Britain, and can be found wherever bee-hives occur, where they can be a pest.

The adults, which occur from July into the autumn, can sometimes be attracted to light.
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