leafcutter
09-14-2006, 11:52 AM
I started noticing a few wax moth larvae beneath my SBB, on the plastic catch tray 3 cm beneath beneath the screen, about 3 weeks ago. As careful an inspection as I could muster revealed no larvae/moths in the frames above, or in the SBB itself, and everything smelled nice.
According to the ever helpful advice searchable in these threads, I: collapsed the hive into a single deep so the frames are each covered with bees; I started feeding since the local pickings are slim right now; I refreshed the plastic screen with veggie oil to do 24 hour mite counts looking for reasons for vulnerability.
Both mite counts (a week apart) had only 1-2 mites in 24 hours. However, the first 'count' had 2 wax larvae on it, and 2 dead adult moths - the wings get fouled in the veggie oil on the screen, and they die spread eagle. The second count had no larvae, but 12 adult moths stuck/dead.
Am I a dimwit here, missing the moth larvae that must obviously be in the frames, since with 2 dead adults the first time and 12 this week, they have to be coming from somewhere? (And in greater numbers)
Or, is the increase in dead adults a confirmation that I have intervened and they are dying off with consolidated bees, and refreshed sticky boards to trap them? (after all, second time had no larvae at all)
I wonder if the adult moths can even crawl through the screen - anyone know? Is it possible they lived their entire cycle below the screen, eating the wax bits that drop, and never ventured up to deal with the bees?
According to the ever helpful advice searchable in these threads, I: collapsed the hive into a single deep so the frames are each covered with bees; I started feeding since the local pickings are slim right now; I refreshed the plastic screen with veggie oil to do 24 hour mite counts looking for reasons for vulnerability.
Both mite counts (a week apart) had only 1-2 mites in 24 hours. However, the first 'count' had 2 wax larvae on it, and 2 dead adult moths - the wings get fouled in the veggie oil on the screen, and they die spread eagle. The second count had no larvae, but 12 adult moths stuck/dead.
Am I a dimwit here, missing the moth larvae that must obviously be in the frames, since with 2 dead adults the first time and 12 this week, they have to be coming from somewhere? (And in greater numbers)
Or, is the increase in dead adults a confirmation that I have intervened and they are dying off with consolidated bees, and refreshed sticky boards to trap them? (after all, second time had no larvae at all)
I wonder if the adult moths can even crawl through the screen - anyone know? Is it possible they lived their entire cycle below the screen, eating the wax bits that drop, and never ventured up to deal with the bees?