Galleria mellonella

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Galleria mellonella
Galleria mellonella 1.jpg
Adult
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Subfamily: Galleriinae
Genus: Galleria
Fabricius, 1798
Species:
G. mellonella
Binomial name
Galleria mellonella
Synonyms

Numerous, see text

Galleria mellonella, the greater wax moth or honeycomb moth, is a moth of the family Pyralidae. G. mellonella is found throughout the world. [1] It is one of two species of wax moths, with the other being the lesser wax moth. G. mellonella eggs are laid in the spring, and they have four life stages. Males are able to generate ultrasonic sound pulses, which, along with pheromones, are used in mating. The larvae of G. mellonella are also often used as a model organism in research.

Contents

The greater wax moth is well known for its parasitization of honeybees and their hives. [1] [2] Because of the economic loss caused by this species, several control methods including heat treatment and chemical fumigants such as carbon dioxide have been used. [3]

The caterpillar of G. mellonella has attracted interest for its ability to degrade polyethylene plastic.

Geographic range

G. mellonella was first reported as a pest in Asia, but then spread to northern Africa, Great Britain, some parts of Europe, northern America, and New Zealand. [3] The species is now distributed throughout the globe. [1] It has been reported in twenty-seven African countries, nine Asian countries, four North American countries, three Latin American countries, Australia, ten European countries, and five island countries. It is projected that the pest may spread further, especially due to climate change. [3]

Habitat

G. mellonella can be found where honeybees are cultivated. [2]

Food resources

Larvae

G. mellonella larvae parasitize the honeybee. Eggs are laid in the cracks and crevices inside the hive, which minimizes egg detection. Once eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the midrib of the wax comb, the cast skins of bee larvae, pollen, and small quantities of propolis and honey. They never eat bee larvae. [2]

Parental care

Oviposition

Shortly after emergence, G. mellonella females lay their eggs in the small cracks and crevices inside a beehive. [3] Females prefer to lay their eggs in strong, healthy bee colonies over weaker colonies, [3] but weaker colonies have a higher rate of G. mellonella infestation. [4] Eggs are laid in clusters of varying number depending on the region. Clusters of 50-150 eggs have been reported in the United States, [3] whereas clusters of 300-600 eggs have commonly been reported in India. [5] Up to 1800 eggs have been deposited by a single female. [5] [4]

Life history

The life cycle of G. mellonella proceeds through four stages: egg, larvae, pupae and adult. [3] Generally, eggs are laid in the early spring and the moth undergoes four to six generations annually. [2] [3] By December, the eggs, larvae, and pupae enter diapause in wait for warmer weather. [3]

Factors that can affect length of life stages

The effects of temperature and humidity on life stages have been most thoroughly studied. Temperatures around 29–33 °C (84–91 °F) and humidity levels around 29-33% [3] are optimal for development, though studies in Kansas have shown normal larval development at temperatures as high as 37 °C (99 °F). [4] Average temperatures higher than 45 °C (113 °F) have been shown to be lethal for larva. [4] Lower temperatures at 23 °C (73 °F), however, resulted in only part of the life cycle being completed. [4] At temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F), even short exposures kill larva and adults. [4]

Intraspecific factors also affect life stages: cannibalism of instars in the process of moulting has been seen, though only in situations where food is scarce. [3] Diet quality also can affect larva development; nutrient deprived larvae are more susceptible to infection by the yeast Candida albicans . [3]

Egg

Mounted, dorsal view Galleria mellonella dorsal.jpg
Mounted, dorsal view

Eggs are smooth and spherical in appearance, with a size ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 mm. Coloring ranges from pink to cream to white. [5] They are laid in clusters in small cracks and crevices in the hive, and can take anytime from 7.2 to 21.8 days to hatch. [4]

Figs.1 larva after final moult on hive wax, 1a several larvae with a mass of cocoons amongst hive wax Buckler W The larvae of the British butterflies and moths Plate CLVI.jpg
Figs.1 larva after final moult on hive wax, 1a several larvae with a mass of cocoons amongst hive wax

Larvae

Larva range in size from 3 to 30 mm long, and are white or dirty gray color. They feed on honey, pollen, cast off skin of honeybee larvae, and the midrib of the wax comb; cannibalism has also been observed in food shortages. Less often, they are found in bumblebee and wasp nests, or feeding on dried figs. [6] Feeding is more intense during earlier instars compared to later instars. They can remain in the larval stage anywhere between 28 days to 6 months, during which they undergo eight to ten molting stages. While silk is spun during all stages, at the last instar the larvae spins a cocoon of silk for itself and enters the pupal stage. [3]

Mounted, ventral view Galleria mellonella ventral.jpg
Mounted, ventral view

Pupae

Pupae are immobile, do not feed, and remain housed in their cocoon for 1 to 9 weeks until emerging as adults. [3] Size ranges from 14 to 16 mm. [5] Pupae start off as a brownish white, but gradually darken to a dark brown color just before adults are ready to emerge. [4]

Adult

Adult moths are brown gray and range from 10 to 18 mm in length. [5] The adults' wingspan is 30 to 41 mm. This moth flies from May to October in the temperate parts of its range, such as Belgium and the Netherlands. Females are larger and heavier than males, and possess a characteristic beaklike head. [4] The outer margin of the forewing is smooth and the labial palp is extended forwards. [4] Males are identified by the semilunar notch. [4] Females live for an average of 12 days; males live for an average of 21 days. [4]

Silk trails left by larvae in a bumblebee nest in a bird box. Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) nest in birdbox infested with wax moth larvae and pupae (Aphomia sociella), Sandy, Bedfordshire. (9327741067).jpg
Silk trails left by larvae in a bumblebee nest in a bird box.

Host

G. mellonella larvae parasitize wild honeybees. Eggs are laid within the hive, and the larva that hatch tunnel through the honeycombs that contain honeybee larva and their honey stores. The tunnels they create are lined with silk, which entangles and starves emerging bees, a phenomenon known as galleriasis. [3] Tunnels also result in massive destruction of the combs. As a result, honey is wasted as it leaks out when cell caps are eaten. [3] Finally, both G. mellonella adults and larvae can be vectors for pathogens that can infect honeybees, including the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) and the black queen cell virus (BQCV). [3]

Enemies

Parasites

Apanteles galleriae parasitizes G. mellonella larva inside the beehive. [7] [8] 1-2 eggs, laid by the adult Apanteles galleriae, were found on each larva, with only one successfully parasitizing the host and surviving throughout its life cycle. The parasite emerges and ruptures the host body, and pupates into a small cocoon. Parasitism increases gradually, starting in February, reaching its peak in May, then declining until July.[ citation needed ] However, it is unlikely that this parasite will take root in a strong, healthy colony as they will be kept out of the hive by bees. Even if they are able to enter the hive, it is difficult to navigate through the darkness in order to find their host. [3]

Habrobracon hebetor also parasitizes G. mellonella adults, along with other members of the family Pyralidae . It uses male-secreted sex pheromones to locate its host. [3]

Mating

Males call for females with ultrasonic sound pulses that attract virgin females and initiate courtship [9] Once females get closer, males produce a sex pheromone to initiate mating. [3] There are many known kinds of sex pheromone including nonanal, decanal, hexanal, heptanal, undecanal, 6,10,14 trimethylpentacanol-2 and 5,11-dimethylpentacosane. [3] It is also known that these pheromones are often used to create traps to attract females. However, as traps baited with these pheromones do not attract virgin females over long distances, acoustics have to be used to draw females in first. [3]

Physiology

Sound generation

Males generate ultrasonic sound pulses at 75 kHz, 200μs per pulse that are used to attract females for mating. [9] This is generated by twisting an end of the tymbal, the membrane that produces sound in insects, with the wings. This causes the tymbal to buckle and results in the emission of an ultrasonic pulse. [10] However, isolated males will not generate sound, thus stimulation from other wax moths is required. [10] Females respond to these pulses by fanning their wings, resulting in 40 and 80 Hz wingbeat frequencies that are detected by the males; which then produces sex pheromones so the female can find him. [10]

Hearing organs

Both sexes are equipped with a sensitive tympanic hearing organ that allows the great wax worm to perceive high frequency sound. [10] [9] This likely resulted from selective pressure from insectivorous bats; being able to detect their echolocation would enable G. mellonella to avoid being eaten. Female tympanic membranes are 0.65 mm across; males’ are 0.55 mm across. They are located on the ventral side of the first abdominal segment. [9]

Emitters that produced ultrasonic sounds at similar frequencies as echolocation prompted G. mellonella to tilt their head and then exhibit dropping, looping, and freezing behaviors, all of which are meant to evade predators. The head tilt was a direct response to sound reception; once tympanic hearing organs were destroyed, this response was lost. [9] Notably, predator evading behaviors were not exhibited when G. mellonella was exposed to lower frequency ultrasounds of moderate intensity.

G. mellonella seems to be able to differentiate between different frequencies and pulsing patterns. It has been hypothesized that G. mellonella use the 30–100 Hz range for communication with other members of its species. This is an ideal frequency as honeybees, its host, generally do not produce sound in this range. [10]

Interactions with humans

Beekeeping

This species of moth is a major parasite of the wild and cultivated honey bee, costing millions of dollars of damage each year. It is said to be present in any area where beekeeping is practiced. [2] [11] After eggs are laid in the hive, the larvae burrow through the honeycombs and cause massive destruction, in addition to trapping emergent bees. Measures have been developed to prevent and manage infestations, but many have unresolved downsides.

Lab and Pet Food Source

Wax moth larvae are commonly raised and sold as food for captive reptiles and arthropods. [12]

Management

G. mellonella causes massive economic losses in the honeybee cultivation industry; the Southern U.S. loses 4-5% of its profits per year due to this one pest. [3] In order to prevent or manage infestations, cultivators are encouraged to maintain sanitary conditions for their bees, as it will keep the colony strong so they can keep G. mellonella out. Cracks and crevices should also be sealed so that adult G. mellonella cannot lay their eggs there. Combs should be replaced regularly and infested combs should be removed as soon as possible. [3]

Temperature treatments also destroy G. mellonella at all stages of its life cycle. Heat treatment keeps the combs and beekeeping equipment at 45-80 °C for 1–4 hours, or in hot water for 3–5 hours. [11] However, heating at this temperature can cause sagging and distortion of the wax. Cold treatment cools the combs to -15 to -7 °C for 2-4.5 hours. [3]

Chemical fumigants also destroy all stages of G. mellonella and are economically convenient. At present, only CO2 is approved to treat infested colonies, because other chemicals leave residues that make their way into the honey produced and pose risks for the person treating the hive. [3]

Usage of gamma radiation to sterilize male pupae, or the male sterilization technique (MST), has also been used to control Galleria mellonella populations. 350 Gy of ionizing radiation was found to be most effective, and a ratio of 4 sterilized males to 1 normal male to 1 female resulted in the greatest decrease of hatched eggs and larvae that became pupae. [13]

In research

The waxworms of the greater wax moth have been shown to be an excellent model organism for in vivo toxicology and pathogenicity testing, replacing the use of small mammals in such experiments. [14] The larvae are also well-suited models for studying the innate immune system. In genetics, they can be used to study inherited sterility (cellular and humoral immunity are part of acquired immunity, which is only in vertebrates. Insects only have innate immunity).

Experiments with infected waxworms support the hypothesis that the bacterial stilbenoid 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene has antibiotic properties that help minimize competition from other microorganisms and prevents the putrefaction of the insect cadaver infected by the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis , itself host for the Photorhabdus bacterium. [15]

G. mellonella is reported to be capable of hearing ultrasonic frequencies approaching 300 kHz, possibly the highest frequency sensitivity of any animal. [16]

In 2017, an international team of searchers led by Federica Bertocchini, [17] published in the scientific journal Current Biology , that the larvae could degrade Polyethylene. [18] This ground breaking news opened the way to new solutions for plastic waste management through bio-recycling/upcycling/degradation. Recent research by Dr. Federica Bertocchini [19] at her lab in Madrid, shows that enzymes contained in the greater wax moth larvae’s saliva can oxidize and depolymerize at room temperature and neutral pH, within hours, polyethylene (PE), one of the most produced and sturdy polyolefin-derived plastics. Polyethylene is one of the most difficult plastics to break down. Investigations are conduct by the CSIC/CIB as well as the Spanish company Plasticentropy S.L. in Madrid, to determine how these caterpillar’s enzymes can be used to set up a technological solution to bio-degrade the world's excess of plastic waste. [18] [20] [21]

Another closely related species of waxworm, Plodia interpunctella, has been the subject of research which isolated two strains of bacteria from its gut, Enterobacter asburiae and Bacillus species which have been demonstrated as capable of growing on and decomposing polyethylene plastic in a laboratory setting. [22]

Synonyms

As a widespread and somewhat notorious species, the greater wax moth has been described under a number of now-invalid junior synonyms: [23]

Junior synonyms (and otherwise invalid names) of the genus Galleria are: [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honeycomb</span> Collection of wax cells built by honeybees

A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal prismatic cells built from beeswax by honey bees in their nests to contain their brood and stores of honey and pollen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey bee</span> Colonial flying insect of genus Apis

A honey bee is a eusocial flying insect within the genus Apis of the bee clade, all native to mainland Afro-Eurasia. After bees spread naturally throughout Africa and Eurasia, humans became responsible for the current cosmopolitan distribution of honey bees, introducing multiple subspecies into South America, North America, and Australia.

Beekeeping is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made beehives. Honey bees in the genus Apis are the most commonly kept species but other honey producing bees such as Melipona stingless bees are also kept. Beekeepers keep bees to collect honey and other products of the hive: beeswax, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly. Other sources of beekeeping income include pollination of crops, raising queens, and production of package bees for sale. Bee hives are kept in an apiary or "bee yard".

<i>Helicoverpa zea</i> Species of moth

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen bee</span> Egg-laying individual in a bee colony

A queen bee is typically an adult, mated female (gyne) that lives in a colony or hive of honey bees. With fully developed reproductive organs, the queen is usually the mother of most, if not all, of the bees in the beehive. Queens are developed from larvae selected by worker bees and specially fed in order to become sexually mature. There is normally only one adult, mated queen in a hive, in which case the bees will usually follow and fiercely protect her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waxworm</span> Caterpillar larvae of wax moths

Waxworms are the caterpillar larvae of wax moths, which belong to the family Pyralidae. Two closely related species are commercially bred – the lesser wax moth and the greater wax moth. They belong to the tribe Galleriini in the snout moth subfamily Galleriinae. Another species whose larvae share that name is the Indian mealmoth, though this species is not available commercially.

<i>Varroa destructor</i> Species of mite

Varroa destructor, the Varroa mite, is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees and is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world. A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring. Without management for Varroa mite, honey bee colonies typically collapse within 2 to 3 years in temperate climates. These mites can infest Apis mellifera, the western honey bee, and Apis cerana, the Asian honey bee. Due to very similar physical characteristics, this species was thought to be the closely related Varroa jacobsoni prior to 2000, but they were found to be two separate species after DNA analysis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small hive beetle</span> Species of beetle

The small hive beetle is a beekeeping pest. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, but has spread to many other regions, including North America, Australia, and the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianmeal moth</span> Species of moth

The Indianmeal moth, also spelled Indian meal moth and Indian-meal moth, is a pyraloid moth of the family Pyralidae. Alternative common names are hanger-downers, weevil moth, pantry moth, flour moth or grain moth. The almond moth and the raisin moth are commonly confused with the Indian-meal moth due to similar food sources and appearance. The species was named for feeding on Indian meal or cornmeal, and does not occur natively in India. It is also not to be confused with the Mediterranean flour moth, another common pest of stored grains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser wax moth</span> Species of moth

The lesser wax moth is a small moth of the snout moth family (Pyralidae) that belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. Adults are about 0.5 inches (13 mm) in length and have a distinct yellow head with a silver-grey or beige body. Lesser wax moths are common in most parts of the world, except in areas with cold climates. Their geographic spread was aided by humans who inadvertently introduced them to many regions worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mediterranean flour moth</span> Species of moth

The Mediterranean flour moth or mill moth is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is a common pest of cereal grains, especially flour. This moth is found throughout the world, especially in countries with temperate climates. It prefers warm temperatures for more rapid development, but it can survive a wide range of temperatures.

<i>Agrotis ipsilon</i> Species of moth

Agrotis ipsilon, the dark sword-grass, black cutworm, greasy cutworm, floodplain cutworm or ipsilon dart, is a small noctuid moth found worldwide. The moth gets its scientific name from black markings on its forewings shaped like the letter "Y" or the Greek letter upsilon. The larvae are known as "cutworms" because they cut plants and other crops. The larvae are serious agricultural pests and feed on nearly all varieties of vegetables and many important grains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western honey bee</span> European honey bee

The western honey bee or European honey bee is the most common of the 7–12 species of honey bees worldwide. The genus name Apis is Latin for "bee", and mellifera is the Latin for "honey-bearing" or "honey carrying", referring to the species' production of honey.

<i>Aphomia sociella</i> Species of moth

Aphomia sociella, also known as the bee moth and the bumble bee wax moth, is a small moth of the family Pyralidae and subfamily Galleriinae. Its body and forewings are typically reddish brown, tan, or dark green in color and females have a dark spot in the center of each forewing. The bee moth is native to Europe and are named "bee moths" because they seek out nests of bees and wasps to lay their eggs. Aphomiasociella are considered a pest because the bee moth larvae severely damage commercial bee hives. Bee moths are also studied for their unique mating ritual which includes a release of pheromones from both the male and the female along with an ultrasonic signal emitted through the male's tymbals.

<i>Apis cerana</i> Species of insect

Apis cerana, the eastern honey bee, Asiatic honey bee or Asian honey bee, is a species of honey bee native to South, Southeast and East Asia. This species is the sister species of Apis koschevnikovi and both are in the same subgenus as the western (European) honey bee, Apis mellifera. A. cerana is known to live sympatrically along with Apis koschevnikovi within the same geographic location. Apis cerana colonies are known for building nests consisting of multiple combs in cavities containing a small entrance, presumably for defense against invasion by individuals of another nest. The diet of this honey bee species consists mostly of pollen and nectar, or honey. Moreover, Apis cerana is known for its highly social behavior, reflective of its classification as a type of honey bee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galleriinae</span> Subfamily of moths

The Galleriinae are a subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially worldwide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. This subfamily includes the wax moths, whose caterpillars (waxworms) are bred on a commercial scale as food for pets and as fishing bait; in the wild, these and other species of Galleriinae may also be harmful to humans as pests.

<i>Cadra calidella</i> Species of moth

Cadra calidella, the dried fruit or date moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Cadra and commonly mistaken for the species Cadra figulilella. It thrives in warmer conditions and is found primarily in Mediterranean countries, although it can also be found in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Transcaucasia, Caucasus, and the western part of Russia. It feeds on dried fruits, carobs, nuts and seeds, hence earning its colloquial name. This diet damages the food industry, and it is a common storage pest. Because of this, much research has been done to study ways to limit its reproduction rate and population size. It was first described by Achille Guenée in 1845.

<i>Lymantria dispar dispar</i> Species of moth (gypsy moth)

Lymantria dispar dispar or LDD moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth, European gypsy moth, North American gypsy moth, or spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae that is of Eurasian origin. It has a range that extends over Europe, Africa, and North America.

References

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Literature