author(s)
Taye Beyene and Mekonen Woldatsadik

abstract
Wax moths are serious pests of beeswax worldwide. The wax moth belongs to the subfamily Galleriinae of the family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera. The current study was conducted to evaluate and identify the effectiveness of some plant based biocides to develop alternative method of controlling greater wax moth. For this purpose, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum basilicum, Calpurnia aurea, Vernonia amygdalina and Vebascum sinatticum benth were collected, dried, grinded and plant extracts were prepared by soxhlet extraction method. The oil extract were applied on the larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Completely randomized design was used with 3 replicates, each containing 10 larvae. Mortality was recorded at 3h, 12h, 24h and 48h post-treatment. The plant extracts showed significant (p<0.05) level of toxicity to the larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella at different exposure times and concentrations. Results showed that Azadirachta indica and Ocimum basilicum caused (100%) mortality in the larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella after application of 15% extract within 48h, while the least larvae mortality (42.82%) was obtained from Vebascum sinatticum bent within 48h exposure time. From different extracts, 15% concentration was the most toxic causing (100%) larvae mortality within 48h exposure time. The results indicated that the percentage of larval mortality was significantly increased vertically by increasing the concentration levels from 5% to 15% and horizontally by increasing exposure times from 3h to 48h. The results from the laboratory test showed that Azadirachta indica and Ocimum basilicum extracts is promising biological control agent against the larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. However, these results need further research in order to identify its effectiveness on the field and honeybee.