Honey-bee-pest
Guides
Achroia
Achroia is a genus of small moths in the snout moth family Pyralidae, belonging to the tribe Galleriini within subfamily Galleriinae. The genus contains one unequivocally recognized species, Achroia grisella (lesser wax moth), with several other named species considered of doubtful validity. These moths are primarily known as pests of honey bee colonies, where larvae consume wax, pollen, and honey. The genus is closely related to Galleria, which contains the greater wax moth.
Aethina tumida
Small Hive Beetle, SHB
Aethina tumida is an invasive pest beetle native to sub-Saharan Africa that has spread globally, causing significant damage to European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Adults are small, reddish-brown to dark brown beetles with clubbed antennae. Females can lay up to 2,000 eggs, and larvae feed on bee brood, honey, and pollen, producing frass that promotes fungal fermentation and creates a slimy, unusable mess in hives. The species has demonstrated potential for beneficial use in circular economy applications, converting excess bee pollen into animal feed and biomanure.
Galleria
greater wax moth, honeycomb moth
Galleria is a monotypic genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) containing only Galleria mellonella, commonly known as the greater wax moth or honeycomb moth. The species is globally distributed and notorious as a pest of honey bee colonies, where larvae tunnel through combs consuming wax, pollen, and honey. Adults are nocturnal; females enter hives after dark to lay eggs in cracks and crevices. The larvae have gained scientific prominence as an alternative model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions, immunology, and antimicrobial therapies, and have shown remarkable ability to degrade polyethylene and polystyrene plastics.
Megaselia rufipes
coffin fly
Megaselia rufipes, commonly known as the coffin fly, is a phorid scuttle fly species first described by Meigen in 1804. It has been recorded as a facultative parasitoid of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and as a pest of oil palm seeds. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Europe, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the Azores. Its common name derives from its documented presence in cemetery crypts, where it has been collected using carrion-baited traps.
Senotainia
satellite flies
Senotainia is a genus of satellite flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae, containing over 70 described species. These flies are kleptoparasites and parasitoids primarily associated with solitary wasps and bees. Species such as Senotainia tricuspis are significant pests of honey bees (Apis mellifera), causing senotainiosis through larviparous parasitism. Other species including S. vigilans and S. trilineata parasitize thread-waisted wasps and other fossorial hymenopterans. The genus exhibits a distinctive reproductive strategy where females deposit live first-instar larvae directly onto hosts or at nest entrances rather than laying eggs.
Varroa
Varroa Mites
Varroa is a genus of parasitic mesostigmatan mites that are obligate ectoparasites of honey bees (Apis spp.). The genus contains four species, with Varroa destructor being the most significant pest of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) worldwide. Originally parasites of Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) in mainland Asia, these mites have spread globally through beekeeping activities. V. destructor is recognized as the most devastating pest of managed honey bees, causing colony losses through direct parasitism and by vectoring viruses such as deformed wing virus. The genus was named for Marcus Terentius Varro, a Roman scholar and beekeeper.
Varroa destructor
Varroa mite
Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite and the most damaging pest of managed honey bee colonies worldwide. The species originally parasitized the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) but host-shifted to the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), causing catastrophic colony losses. Adult female mites feed on the fat body tissue of adult bees and larvae, while reproducing exclusively within sealed brood cells. The mite vectors at least five debilitating bee viruses, including deformed wing virus, and colonies without management typically collapse within 2–3 years.