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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 12 Jul 2002 08:28:18 -0500
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Hello Nancy and All,

Nancy wrote:

I am using a pollen trap for the first time.  I put the trap on the 15th of
June and have been collecting daily.  I kill about 2-3 wax moth worms
everyday.

If you are getting wax worms crawling around in your collected pollen then
your pollen has wax moth eggs in it. I assume a female wax moth is able to
enter  your trap and deposit eggs. Not knowing the design of your trap I can
not say if the eggs might be dropping down from above.
Because of the low number hatching this might be the case.
Wax moths enter hives from time to time and busy bees will ignore the moths
at the hieght of the honey flow and be content to handle the problem by
removing eggs and larva. Possibly a few missed eggs are dropping down into
your trap and hatching. I believe Lloyd Spears trap has a cover on top to
prevent debre and wax moth eggs from entering from above.
Anyway moth eggs in pollen is a problem unless you are planning on freezing
and do not mind consuming a few moth eggs. Wax moth eggs are black in color
and usually placed in large numbers. Wax moth eggs are difficult to remove
by both machine and by hand. All pollen collected will need to be frozen to
kill any eggs. You will have a problem with your pollen in storage if you
simply dry and store as the wax moth eggs will hatch and ruin your pollen.
Exactly like when wax moth eggs in comb honey hatch and ruin your comb
honey.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

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