Author Topic: Wax moth feces? Can someone confirm? (Read 12192 times)

tjc1 · « **on:** March 29, 2014, 10:52:48 pm »

Just saw this on the bottom board for the first time - and as of yet, I have not had any wax moth in my hive... But I'm guessing that this is what it must be.

RHBee · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2014, 10:58:33 pm »

I could be wrong but, that looks like roach droppings to me. I've had WM and never remember seeing that.

iddee · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2014, 11:04:47 pm »

Pick 3 little black dots up,maybe even 4 or 5, place them on the head of a straight pin. Then you will have an idea of the size of wax moth feces.

tjc1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2014, 12:37:22 am »

I went looking for pics of WM feces and saw something resembling these... Anyone else have any ideas what it is if not wax moth feces??

also note the white stringy stuff here and there (the crystals are dry sugar). There is newspaper under the sugar, but this doesn't look like shredded newspaper usually does - too white.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2014, 08:01:29 am »

Does not look like wax moth droppings to me. Also I would think it is way too cold for them where you are. Looks like you have two different sources. The brown ones are segmented perpendicular to the length. The black one is segmented primarily parallel to its length.
Jim

Jim134 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2014, 08:18:16 am »

Quote from: tjc1 on March 30, 2014, 12:37:22 am

I went looking for pics of WM feces and saw something resembling these... Anyone else have any ideas what it is if not wax moth feces??

I do know in Northern Central Massachusetts (Worcester County) wax moth DO not show up until about the third week in June. And do not come a real big problem until about a third week in July.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

tjc1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2014, 02:47:24 pm »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 30, 2014, 08:01:29 am

Does not look like wax moth droppings to me. Also I would think it is way too cold for them where you are. Looks like you have two different sources. The brown ones are segmented perpendicular to the length. The black one is segmented primarily parallel to its length.
Jim

Good observation! The mystery deepens...

RHBee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:35:52 am »

Quote from: tjc1 on March 30, 2014, 02:47:24 pm

Quote from: sawdstmakr on March 30, 2014, 08:01:29 am
Does not look like wax moth droppings to me. Also I would think it is way too cold for them where you are. Looks like you have two different sources. The brown ones are segmented perpendicular to the length. The black one is segmented primarily parallel to its length.
Jim

Good observation! The mystery deepens...

TJ, What do you see crawling around in the hives? I see most critters that would leave poo in my colonies.

GSF · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2014, 07:13:58 am »

Long overdue cleansing walk? :-D

just kidding

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:13:48 pm »

Still no answer. Someone here should be able to identify them. Any entomologists?
If we do not get an answer I can send the picture to Dr. Jamie Ellis at University of Florida.
Jim

tjc1 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2014, 06:42:35 pm »

Haven't been inside to see anything, seeing as how I am in MA AND IT SNOWED AGAIN TODAY!!!!! :soapbox: If spring ever gets here I'll have a look-see...

Thanks, Jim for the offer to pass it on to the entomologist.

RHBee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2014, 09:43:21 pm »

Quote from: GSF on March 31, 2014, 07:13:58 am

Long overdue cleansing walk? :-D

just kidding

Pretty bound up! :-D

GSF · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:46:06 pm »

They kinda remind me of caterpillar poop.

Jim134 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2014, 09:05:46 am »

I do know of one pest that does live in the winter in this part of New England SHB.

BEE HAPPY Jlm 134 :)

tjc1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2014, 09:24:54 pm »

Hey, Jim - any luck with the entomologist? This stuff is still showing up on the bottom board, but no sign of any associated critters... Should be warm enough in a week or so to open up and have a look-see.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 07, 2014, 12:44:29 pm »

TJC1,
I just sent the picture to Jamie. I didn't realize you were previously taking me up on the offer. My bet is Jamie will know what it is just by looking at it.
Jim

sc-bee · « **Reply #16 on:** April 07, 2014, 12:59:30 pm »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2014, 12:44:29 pm

TJC1,
I just sent the picture to Jamie. I didn't realize you were previously taking me up on the offer. My bet Jamie is will know what it is just by looking at it.
Jim

Might take that bet.......... bet not........ kinda vague

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 07, 2014, 01:06:31 pm »

Quote from: sc-bee on April 07, 2014, 12:59:30 pm

Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2014, 12:44:29 pm
TJC1,
I just sent the picture to Jamie. I didn't realize you were previously taking me up on the offer. My bet Jamie is will know what it is just by looking at it.
Jim

Might take that bet.......... bet not........ kinda vague

So what's the bet? :-D
Jim

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2014, 01:15:35 pm »

Here is the answer:

Wax moths, both of them.

Jamie

Jamie Ellis, PhD

sc-bee · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2014, 01:52:45 pm »

Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2014, 01:06:31 pm

Quote from: sc-bee on April 07, 2014, 12:59:30 pm
Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2014, 12:44:29 pm
TJC1,
I just sent the picture to Jamie. I didn't realize you were previously taking me up on the offer. My bet Jamie is will know what it is just by looking at it.
Jim

Might take that bet.......... bet not........ kinda vague
So what's the bet? :-D
Jim

Ooops I lost ...... I would have bet yes on this one in favor of jamie. I thought I was on the black hairy stuff post