BEE MOTH |
APHOMIA SOCIELLA |
|
| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 25 - 38mm. A sexually dimporphic species with females being large, brownish moths with three clear bands on the forewing and a black discal spot. Males are smaller (Fig 1) with forewings having three main areas of colour, these being from the head to the wingtips cream, reddish brown and green. CHRYSALIS: Located in Bee or Social Wasp nests. LARVA: Maggot-like and yellowish-white. Feeds on bee hive comb, debris and even the larva of the hosts nest. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light. HABITAT: Gardens, parks, woodland, hedgerows and scrub. FLIGHT PERIOD: Single brooded. May to August. STATUS: Common resident in throughout. |