In-vivo-infection-model
Guides
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.