author(s)
Gourav Kumar and MS Khan

abstract
Wax moths are serious pests of beeswax worldwide. The wax moth belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae of the family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera. In the experiment that was carried out at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during 2013-2014, life cycle of the Greater wax moth was studied under different weather conditions. During the period of study fecundity, incubation period, Percent hatching, larval period, pupal period and adult longevity showed considerable variation under different weather conditions. The total developmental period from egg laying to adult emergence was longest at room temperature from December, 2012 to February, 2013 (2.5 ^oC to 24 ^oC temperature, 44% to 100% RH with food scarcity), while significantly short life cycle was observed inside the incubator (28±2 ⁰C temperature and 65±5% RH). Lowest percentage of emerged adults was seen at room temperature and maximum adult emergence was seen inside the incubator.