Honeybee bite in action

Honeybee biting a wax moth

Recently Vita’s research revealed the secrets of the honeybee bite and this weekend I saw it in action.

I spotted a wax moth larva trail underneath some brood cappings and « released » the wax moth larva. You can see the wax moth trail that I uncovered in the top right of the photograph.

The waxmoth larva was immediately set upon by a bee which, instead of stinging it, started biting it.

The honeybee bite contains a natural anaesthetic that helps honeybees fend off pests that it cannot effectively sting. Once stunned, the pest can be ejected from the hive.

Vita has a biological control for wax moth: B401.

Turlough
Vita’s Guest Beekeeper Blogger