Lesser Wax Moth
Achroia grisella
This record describes Achroia grisella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 16-24 mm. This is a rather small and plain-looking grey-brown moth. Often in areas where bee hives are present. The adults occur from July into the autumn and can sometimes be attracted to light. This 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. Formerly regarded as fairly common throughout Britain, this species has declined and is often local to those areas where bee-hives occur. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Galleriinae
- Tribe
- Galleriini
- Genus
- Achroia (Lesser Wax Moth)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often in areas where bee hives are present.
Seasonal Activity
The adults occur from July into the autumn and can sometimes be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This 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.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Formerly regarded as fairly common throughout Britain, this species has declined and is often local to those areas where bee-hives occur. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Achroia grisella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Lesser Wax Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Wax Moth
What is Lesser Wax Moth?
Lesser Wax Moth (Achroia grisella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Lesser Wax Moth found?
Habitat: Often in areas where bee hives are present.
When is Lesser Wax Moth active?
Lesser Wax Moth: seasonal activity - The adults occur from July into the autumn and can sometimes be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Wax Moth?
This 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.