Glasilo biljne zaštite, Vol. 23 No. 3, 2023.
Pregledni rad
GREATER (Galleria mellonella L.) AND LESSER (Achroia grisella Fabricius) WAX MOTHS - PESTS IN BEEKEEPING AND CONTROL METHODS
Saša Prđun
orcid.org/0000-0002-9697-4808
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za ribarstvo, pčelarstvo, lovstvo i specijalnu zoologiju
Helena Virić Gašparić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4275-4033
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za poljoprivrednu zoologiju
Sažetak
Wax moths are pests of bee colonies worldwide, and the average economic loss due to their attacks is estimated at about 38%. The most important representatives are large (Galleria mellonella L.) and small (Achroia grisella Fabricius) wax moth. Although adults are easily identified by size, it is difficult to distinguish their eggs and larvae when species occur simultaneously. Knowing their morphological characteristics allows for correct identification of the species. The critical period for infestation is early fall and late spring. They do not only damage the built combs and, to a lesser extent the unbuilt base directly, but also destroy stored bee bread (pollen) and wooden parts of the hive, such as the inner walls of honey chambers, floorboards, or frames. They are vectors of various pathogens such as the Paenibacillus larvae bacterium, the Israeli acute paralysis virus, and the larval black host virus. Sanitation measures provide efficient management of bee colonies, but these measures are often not sufficient for large-scale breeding. Chemical fumigants are the most common choice for controlling wax moths. Ethylene bromide, calcium cyanide, methyl bromide, phosphine, paradichlorobenzene (PDB), naphthalene, and carbon dioxide are commonly used in the world, while acetic acid, formic acid, and sulfur are most used in Croatia. Considering the undesirable effects of chemical agents on the ecosystem, it is necessary to develop more ecotoxicologically acceptable methods to protect stored combs, such as heat treatment, ozone treatment, sterilization of males with gamma rays, use of pheromone traps and light traps or use of biological products based on Bacillus thuringiensis, entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi, and natural enemies. Given the lack of data, especially at the local level, future research needs to be focused on the development of improved tools for wax moths’ monitoring and management.
Ključne riječi
ecotoxicologically compatible methods; fumigation; honeybee; sanitation measures; identification; wax moths
Hrčak ID:
304940
URI
Datum izdavanja:
29.6.2023.
Posjeta: 324 *