Waxworms are the larvae of the wax moth. There are two related species, the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) and the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). They are used extensively as food in the pet industry, mostly due to their high fat content, their ease of breeding, and their ability to survive for weeks at low temperatures. Refrigerated wax worms are also popularly sold as fish bait, especially for members of the sunfish family. Larvae are the plural of larva, juvenile form of animals with indirect development. ... Binomial name Achroia grisella, the lesser wax moth is a moth of the Galleriidae subfamily of the Pyraldiae family, of the Lepidoptera order. ... Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water. ... Fig. ... Several kinds of things are named sunfish (or sun-fish): A class of sailboat Various fish: Marine fish: The Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) The Oblong Sunfish (Ranzania laevis) Opah (family Lampridae; two species) The moonfishes of genus Selene (order Perciformes) The African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) (order Perciformes) The American Gamer...

They are medium white caterpillars with black tipped feet and small black heads. In the wild they live as nest parasites in bee colonies and eat cocoons, pollen, and shed skins of bees, and chew through beeswax, thus the name. When used in captivity they can go a long time without eating, particularly if kept refrigerated. Captive wax worms are generally raised on a mixture of cereal grain and honey. Beekeepers consider waxworms to be pests. Caterpillar of the Emperor Gum Moth A caterpillar is the larval form of a member of the Order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). ... A parasite is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life in or on the living tissue of a host organism and which causes harm to the host without immediately killing it. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The tough brown cocoon of an Emperor Gum Moth. ... Beeswax cake Fresh wax scales (in the middle of the lower row) Beeswax is a product from a bee hive, specifically the hive of any species of honey bee (the genus Apis). ... Beekeeping, tacuinum sanitatis casanatensis (XIV century) Beekeeping (or apiculture, from Latin apis, a bee) is the practice of intentional maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. ... Larval form of some beetle is damaging specimen of Sceliphron destillatorius in entomogical collection. ...

Waxworms as live food

Waxworms are an ideal food for many insectivorous animals. Although they are high in protein and calcium, they are also relatively fattening and should thus be fed sparingly as treats instead of dietary staples.

See also

• Diseases of the honey bee

Common diseases, parasites, pests, and ailments of the honey bee include: // Varroa mite on a honey bee larva Main articles: Varroa destructor Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni are parasitic mites that feed off the bodily fluids of adult, pupal and larval bees. ...

External links

• The lesser wax moth
• Waxworm infestation in a bee colony MAAREC
• Breeding waxworms