RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONEYBEE COMBS AGE AND THE PERCENTAGE DAMAGE BY GREATER WAX MOTH (GALLERIA MELLONELLA, LEPIDOP‌TERA: PYRALIDAE) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS SEASONAL ACTIVITY UNDER MINIA REGION CONDITIONS, EGYPT

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L., is considered one of danger harmful honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies pests. They can cause significant losses in storage combs or in apiaries. This study was conducted to, know relationship between comb damage percentage of Galleria m. and comb age. Also, its seasonal activity under Minia region, Egypt conditions during season 2021/2022. The results showed damage area percentage increased by increase comb age for one, two, three, four and five (28.14, 32.84, 34.36, 37.04 and 44.92%). Also, data revealed to significant differences between damage percentage of comb age one, two, three and five years but non-significant difference between comb age three and four comb age also, between four and five comb age. On the other hand, The peak abundance of larvae, pupa and adult was recorded in June 2022 (50.33, 30.67 and 39.67, respectively). While, the low mean number of G. mellonella stages was recorded (0.0) for all stages in January 2022. The results indicate that the optimum temperature of the greater wax moth was 25 ºC and relative humidity was 55%. Finally, data analysis of regression coefficient between greater wax moth mean stages number and temperature were 0.3975, 0.7376 and 0.4718 for larvae, pupa and adults, respectively. While the relative humidity was 1.3166, 1.9053 and 1.2851% for larvae, pupa and adults, respectively.