Bee Moth
Common NameBee Moth
Scientific NameAphomia sociella
FamilyPyralidae
SubfamilyGalleriinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, cream
HabitatGrasslands, heathlands, woodlands, gardens, and areas with bumblebee and wasp nests.
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia, and North America.
Host Plantsbumblebee nests, wasp nests
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae develop within the nests of bumblebees and sometimes wasps, feeding on wax, pollen, and detritus. They pupate in a silken cocoon within or near the host nest.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its mottled grey-brown forewings with subtle darker markings, relatively broad wings, and a pale head. Females are typically larger than males.
Description
A medium-sized moth with cryptic, mottled grey-brown forewings featuring indistinct darker transverse bands and spots, and a relatively pale head and thorax.
