Aphomia terrenella
Zeller, 1848
Terrenella Bee Moth
Aphomia terrenella, commonly known as the terrenella bee moth, is a small in the Pyralidae. It occurs in eastern North America from the Great Lakes region south to Georgia. The is associated with nests, where its larvae have been observed feeding on honeycomb and possibly bee larvae. are active during late spring and summer.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aphomia terrenella: //əˈfoʊmiə ˌtɛrəˈnɛlə//
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Habitat
Associated with nests and ; specific preferences for are not well documented.
Distribution
Eastern North America: Michigan, Ontario, Quebec, and New York south to Georgia. Records also include Vermont.
Seasonality
active from May to August.
Diet
Larvae possibly feed on honeycomb and/or larvae of bees.
Host Associations
- Bees - larval food sourceLarvae possibly feed on honeycomb and/or larvae
Human Relevance
Potential pest of colonies due to larval feeding on honeycomb and possibly .
Similar Taxa
- Aphomia sociella (Bee Moth)Also occurs in nests; A. terrenella is smaller (wingspan ~25 mm vs. ~30 mm) and has a more southern distribution in eastern North America
More Details
Taxonomic authority
First described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1848.