دراسة حياتية دودة شمع العسل الكبيرة Galleria mellonella (L.)‎ في منطقة لحج، اليمن

Abstract EN

Greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (L) is a major pest threatening honeybee colonies.

To study the biology of this moth, under laboratory conditions (29-34°C), an experiment was earned out at Nasir's College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aden.

The length of the egg reitched 0.4-0.5 mm, and the full grown larva reached up to 30 mm.

The length of the pupa reached 11-15 mm.

Hie female is bigger than the male by about 8%.

Incubation period ranged from 5 to 11 days.

The larval period was 22-40 days, and that of the pupal stage was 9-34 days.

The mean adult female period w as 7.5 days, and that of the male was 14.8 days, 'llic female laid groups of eggs, which ranged from 250 lo 1283 eggs/lemale.

There was no significant difference in the quantity of eggs laid bv females when they were separated from males soon after copulation or by those which were living with males alter copulation.