Aphomia sociella

Distinguished from similar wax moths by the female's dark forewing spot and the species' specific association with above-ground bumblebee and wasp nests rather than stored products. Males can be identified by their striated tegular tymbals used for ultrasound production, a feature absent in females. The combination of pheromone and acoustic communication is unique within Galleriinae.

Adults have a wingspan of 18-40 mm. Body and forewings are typically reddish brown, tan, or dark green. Males are generally more brightly colored and distinctly patterned than females. Females possess a dark spot in the center of each forewing, a key diagnostic feature. Larvae are yellow in color and 22-30 mm in length.

Associated with active nests of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and vespine wasps, particularly those in elevated, exposed positions. Also found in weakened commercial honeybee hives. In natural settings, larvae overwinter in host nests and pupate in spring.

Native to Europe, including Britain. Established in Asia. Introduced to North America with records from California, Utah, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut. Found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere where bumblebee hosts occur.

Adults fly from June to August in temperate regions such as Belgium and The Netherlands. Emergence from overwintering larvae occurs in early spring (March-July) to exploit temporary weakness in host colony defenses.

Larvae feed on host eggs, larvae, and pupae left unprotected in nests, as well as pollen, honey, stored food, meconia, and nest waste materials.

• Bombus terrestris - primary hostBuff-tailed bumblebee
• Bombus hypnorum - hostTree bumblebee
• Dolichovespula maculata - hostBald-faced hornet
• Dolichovespula arenaria - hostCommon aerial yellowjacket
• Vespula germanica - hostGerman wasp
• Apis mellifera - occasional hostWeakened commercial honeybee hives only

Females are attracted to odors of active bumblebee nests and lay up to 100 eggs per nest. Larvae emerge in early summer, spin protective silk, and tunnel through nests while feeding. Larvae overwinter in host nests and pupate in spring. Adults eclose and mate during scotophase (dark period).

Males initiate mating through silent wing fanning with pheromone release at one-second intervals. Upon female approach, males switch to courtship involving walking, wing fanning, and ultrasonic "courting songs" (60-120 kHz, peak 80-90 kHz) produced by tegular tymbals. Females respond with wing fanning and receptive posture. Rival males produce ultrasound and physically attack intruders at calling sites. When threatened, adults exhibit thanatosis (death-feigning) by falling and remaining motionless on their backs.

Parasite of bumblebees and wasps. In large nests, coexistence is possible when hosts expand downward, leaving upper levels for moth larvae. Infestation near apiaries correlates with reduced host immune response, potentially facilitating additional parasite and pathogen spillover. Becoming economically important in bumblebee mass-production facilities.

Considered a significant pest of commercial beekeeping and bumblebee mass-production facilities. Larval feeding causes severe damage to honeycombs, stored pollen, and brood, potentially leading to colony collapse. Genome sequencing supports development of sustainable pest management strategies.

• Galleria mellonellaGreater wax moth; also a pyralid pest of bee nests but primarily associated with honeybee hives rather than bumblebee nests, and lacks the dual-modal acoustic-pheromone mating system of A. sociella
• Achroia grisellaLesser wax moth; smaller size, different host associations, and distinct mating communication system
• Aphomia cephalonicaCongeneric species with close phylogenetic relationship but different ecological specialization and geographic distribution

• pest
• parasite
• pollinator threat
• acoustic communication
• pheromone
• beekeeping
• bumblebee
• wasp

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Infestation levels of Aphomia sociella in bumblebees increase with proximity to apiaries and result in lower reproductive output and weaker immune response
• Male Moth Songs Tempt Females to Accept Mating: The Role of Acoustic and Pheromonal Communication in the Reproductive Behaviour of Aphomia sociella
• Whole-genome assembly and annotation of the bumblebee wax moth, Aphomia sociella.