Management of the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella with Neem Azal- T/S, in the Laboratory and under Semi-Field Conditions

Abstract

A b s t r a c t Different concentrations of Neem Azal-T/S were used in an artificial diet, to study the mortality of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. A Neem formulation and different ages of natural beeswax combs were used for the effective management of the wax moth. While the diet was being prepared, Neem Azal-T/S was directly added ensure that the Neem formulation was distributed evenly in the diet at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%. The obtained results showed that the different concentrations of Neem Azal-T/S mixed in the prepared artificial diet had a significant efficacy against the tested 2 nd instar larvae. An outstanding elongation of the 2 nd larval instar was clear in comparison with the control, even at the least tested concentration (0.25%). Neem Azal-T/S at 4, 2,1, and 0.5% caused 100% mortality for all tested larvae. When using a 4% concentration, all the tested larvae died in the 2 nd instar. However, when using a 2% concentration, the larvae died in the fifth instar. When using a decreased concentration of 1.0 and 0.5%, some of the larvae were tolerant and lived till the 6 th instar. Feeding the larvae on beeswax combs treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, caused 100% mortality when fed on very old wax. When the diet was old wax treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, a 91% mortality was recorded. When the diet was new wax treated with 2% Neem Azal-T/S, a 90% mortality was recorded. A 4% Neem formulation caused mortality for all larvae during the first week of treatment on the different tested ages of beeswax combs.

Toxicity and Bio-Efficacy of Indole-3-Acetic Acid, A Plant Growth Regulator, Against the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

“…It is responsible for serious economic losses to beekeepers in developing countries (Nurullahoglu and Susurluk, 2001;Viraktamath, 2010). Although the adults of G. mellonella do not feed, because they have atrophied or ill-developed mouth parts, the voracious feeding nature of its larvae leads to the destruction of the honeycomb, and subsequent to the death of weak colonies (Ellis et al, 2013;Elbehery et al, 2016). Furthermore, it can destroy wax combs either inside or outside the hives (Awasthi and Sharma, 2013;Kwadha et al, 2017).…”

Toxicity and Deleterious Impacts of the Deathstalker Scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Venom on Development of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

“…In addition, insect hormone analogues, insect growth regulators had been assessed against G. mellonella (Willems et al, 2002;Izzetoglu and Karacali, 2003;Unsal et al, 2004;Awasthi and Sharma, 2012;Pamita and Priyanka, 2013). Natural compounds from the plant origins could be efficient alternatives to conventional fumigants against G. mellonella (Rajendran and Sriranjini, 2008;Abbasipour et al, 2009;Mahmoudvand et al, 2011;Basedow et al, 2012;Elbehery et al, 2016;Er et al, 2017).…”

Deteriorated Adult Performance and Reproduction of the Greater Wax Moth, (Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by the Honey Bee Apitoxin

“…In general, larvae of the greater wax moth cause considerable damage to beeswax combs left unattended by bees (Van Engelsdorp et al, 2010) and cause economic loss to the beekeeping industry all over the world because they reduce the wax combs to a pile of debris, wax moth frass, and webbing (Shimanuki et al, 1992;Ellis et al, 2013). The voracious nature of the larva leads to the destruction of the honeycomb and then the death of weak colonies (Elbehery et al, 2016). Besides damaging wax combs and destroying frames and wooden parts in the hive, adult and larvae of G. mellonella can transfer pathogens of serious bee diseases, e.g.…”

“…Botanical pesticides are usually safer to humans and the environment than conventional pesticides, and have minimal residual effects (Pavela, 2009). Natural products of the plant origin have been widely assessed against G. mellonella (Swamy et al, 2006;Izhar-ul-Haq et al, 2008;Sankar et al, 2009;Núñez, 2011;Basedow et al, 2012;Ünsal and Güner, 2016;Elbehery et al, 2016;Er et al, 2017). Recently, natural products of the animal origin have been described as very good alternative agents for controlling G. mellonella, such as venomous insects (Dahlman et al, 2003), scorpions (Froy et al, 2000;Taniai et al, 2002), spiders (Harrison and Bonning, 2000;Tedford et al, 2004;Nicholson, 2006) and some marine animals (Olivera, 2002) as well as arthropod hormones and neuropeptides (Altstein et al, 2000;Altstein, 2004).…”