Pretty basic stuff this wax moth discussion.
 
From _The_Hive_and_the_Honey_Bee_ (Dadant & Sons, 1992 edition):
 
pp 1127 "In the horthern United States, comb losses generally develop
         from cocooned stages of GWM (greater wax moth) that overwinter
         without freezing and infested colonies transported from the south
         by migratory beekeepers."
 
pp 1128: "In cold climates, the cocooned stage (prepupa or pupae) may
          last for four months or more if it does not freeze."
 
Perhaps northern beekeepers can expect a worse than avarage season
of wax moths this year, courtesy of El Nino?
 
Aaron Morris - thinking El Nino is the root of all evil!