Aphomia sociella

Bumblebee Nest moth ( Aphomia sociella ), female

The bumblebee nest Motte is also Hummel - Hummel wax moth or moth ( Aphomia sociella ) is a (small) butterfly from the family of European corn borer ( Pyralidae ), subfamily wax moths ( Galleriinae ).

Features

With a wingspan 18-44 mm, the adult animal is relatively large for a small butterfly. The adults are gray - brown. Males and females are of different shapes. The male is more colorful drawn (in addition to shades of gray and green and violet hues on the wingtips ). The female is gray - brown, each with a characteristic dark spot in the center of the front wings. It also has the typical " Zünslernase " who lack the male. The caterpillars are light gray - yellowish with red head capsule and brown neck shield.

Synonyms

• Aphomia colonnella Linnaeus 1758
• Aphomia eritrella Della Beffa 1941
• Aphomia pedemontella Della Beffa 1941

Flight times and caterpillars

The moths fly from May to September. They are nocturnal and are occasionally observed at the light. The caterpillars live from August to April. They overwinter in the cocoon and pupate in the spring.

Way of life

The adults are nocturnal and can track bumblebee and wasp nests by their sense of smell. Eggs are laid in the immediate nest area. The young caterpillars hatch after a few days.

The caterpillars of the Bumblebee Nest moth feed on pantophag and live mainly in bumblebee or wasp nests. Although the type belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae ( wax moth ), but it requires in contrast to the two related species to their greater wax moth ( Galleria mellonella ) and Small wax moth ( Achroia grisella ) no wax for development. The caterpillars of the Bumblebee Nest moth feed in the nests of both waste but also to a large extent by the predatory breed. The caterpillars live this sociable and cover their feeding areas with a dense weave that grants protection from the bumble bees or wasps. This web is continuously expanded, so that always separated larger areas of the nest and taken over by the caterpillars of the Bumblebee Nest moth. The isolated brood is eaten. The adult caterpillars pupate sociable within or near the host nest. The individual cocoons are close to each other and are spun together.

Ecological Significance

Wasps and bumble bee nests can be destroyed by the caterpillars within a few weeks. The butterfly itself is part of the diet of its own hosts ( wasps, hornets ), as well as to that of many birds, bats and other insects hunters.