Spot The Difference :Small Hive Beetle Larvae Vs Wax Moth  Larvae

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The small hive beetle is a honeybee pest indigenous to Africa. 

The beetle is a quarter of an inch or so long, black, and scurries around on the top bars and over the combs in a beehive. 

What Is A Small Hive Beetle?

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Once the larvae are buried in the soil, it makes a smooth-walled chamber and pupates. 

Small Hive Beetle Lifecycle

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 It emerges as an adult beetle after a month or so. After mating, the hive beetle enters the hive and hides in crevices.

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What Is A Wax Moth?

These develop into larvae which eat the wax, pollen, and bee silk in combs that have had brood in them in the past.

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Silk

wax moth infestation is that your combs will be full of strands of “spider web” like silk.

Controlling wax moths in beehives is really just down to good housekeeping and keeping your bees strong.

Holes Made When Pupating

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Hive Beetle Larvae

In the event that the bees overwhelm the hive, there will be a strong sour smell of fermented honey and beetle excrement in the hive.

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Wax Moth Larvae

The hive moth larvae always leave tell-tale silk behind it and smell a bit like urine. 

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ADVICE

It is important to coordinate and educate bee removers and exterminators. If hives are fumigated or poisoned, the brood combs remain in situ. 

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