Greater Wax Moth versus Small Hive Beetle

May 2024

By Leilani Pulsifer

With increased sightings of Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) (SHB) in the Lower Mainland, it’s important that you are able to tell the difference between Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae and Small Hive Beetle larvae. Identifying and reporting SHB larvae to your regional apiary inspector is a vital step in preventing its spreading across the province (click here for a list of regional apiary inspectors in British Columbia). Here are some of the most identifiable differences you can note between larva: