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As many of us know to our cost, when wax moths take over a hive and begin to reek their havoc upon it, one very obvious feature becomes that of the nest itself. For anyone new to 'the game' - this nest has the appearance of a mass of grey woolly fibres, and very effectively binds adjacent combs together. But - in all the discussions I've ever read about wax moths, the nest itself has never featured - other than to mention it's existence. So - what part does this 'nest' play in the life-cycle of the wax-moth ? Just how essential is it ?
During this last winter I've had a couple of dozen well-used frames hanging in a greenhouse from the overhead crop-support wires which run the length of the building - most of them contain some residue or other: a few cells of pollen or a few capped brood cells which never made the distance - but there's zero sign of any wax-moth activity. The frames are spaced approx. 2" apart, so there's the space itself plus plenty of light - either or both of these factors could be playing a part.
I'm not the first to have noticed this - not by a long shot - I've recently read in some early copies of the ABJ that several people had noticed this deterrent. So - I've been wondering whether the inability to be able to create their woolly nest might have something to do with it ? It's a pity such spacing doesn't make frame storage particularly convenient.
LJ
During this last winter I've had a couple of dozen well-used frames hanging in a greenhouse from the overhead crop-support wires which run the length of the building - most of them contain some residue or other: a few cells of pollen or a few capped brood cells which never made the distance - but there's zero sign of any wax-moth activity. The frames are spaced approx. 2" apart, so there's the space itself plus plenty of light - either or both of these factors could be playing a part.
I'm not the first to have noticed this - not by a long shot - I've recently read in some early copies of the ABJ that several people had noticed this deterrent. So - I've been wondering whether the inability to be able to create their woolly nest might have something to do with it ? It's a pity such spacing doesn't make frame storage particularly convenient.
LJ