Effect of Bio-Pesticides on Mortality of Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella L.

Abstract

Galleria mellonella larvae feed on wax, pollen, honey and damage the combs with in active bee colonies and storage condition. Galleria mellonella larvae can bore tunnel and feed around the midrib base of the wax comb. Larvae produce silk fibers that can trap bee brood cells. Comb is completely covered with webbing and extracted matter of the larvae condition described as “Galleriasis”.  The study was carried out at Apiculture Lab of RVSKVV-ZARS-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Morena (M.P.) during 2019-20. Different three concentration of bio-pesticides viz., Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki  (1, 1.5 and 2%), custard apple seed extract (2, 4and 6%) and Neem Oil (1, 2 and 3%) were used against the Galleria mellonella to assess the effect of larval mortality at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after treatment. There was no significant effect showed in all the treatments after 24 hours. The maximum mortality of Galleria mellonella larvae was recorded in Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki 2.0 percent concentration (46.67, 87.08 and 96.67%) after 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively and it was at par with custard apple seed extract 6.0 percent concentration (45.83, 85.0 and 93.75%). Neem oil 3.0 percent concentration expressed 38.33, 75.42 and 87.50 percent larval mortality after 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively. Whereas minimum mortality was noticed in Neem oil 1.0 percent at 48 hours (22.08%), at 72 hours (37.08%) and at 96 hours (56.25%) among the treatments. The higher concentration of all the three bio-pesticides was proved effectiveness against Galleria mellonella during investigation.