Looks like a wax moth larva to me.
Looks like a wax moth larva to me.
That was the worry....
Much of the identification of grubs depends on size. I was just looking myself at pictures of wax moth grubs as I took out the inspection insert for a check and found grubs and what seemed to be a sticky mass of webbing, due to the rapidly fluctuating temperatures I had not done it for a while. The grubs were quite small and slim and moved rapidly when disturbed so from what I have just read and seen I guess they are wax moth. I shall have the hose on jet tomorrow while the sun is high and wash underneath the hive. Luckily the bin is due to be emptied tomorrow so the contents of the floor were rapidly scraped into it and the lid quickly slammed shut.
Well I do intend to have a look after I have jet washed the bottom of the hive and stand. There was no sign inside the hive a few days ago and it should be warmer in there than on the tray. They hatch more quickly when it is warm according to what I read on the web from various sources. I shall have no hesitation in burning any frames that I find infested.With luck they were only feeding on the wax deposits on the tray ... might want to have a look at the inside of the hive though and just check that you have not got more in there. A healthy colony will cope with wax moths so it should be OK.
Much of the identification of grubs depends on size. I was just looking myself at pictures of wax moth grubs as I took out the inspection insert for a check and found grubs and what seemed to be a sticky mass of webbing, due to the rapidly fluctuating temperatures I had not done it for a while. The grubs were quite small and slim and moved rapidly when disturbed so from what I have just read and seen I guess they are wax moth. I shall have the hose on jet tomorrow while the sun is high and wash underneath the hive. Luckily the bin is due to be emptied tomorrow so the contents of the floor were rapidly scraped into it and the lid quickly slammed shut.
If your grub is very large it could be a crane fly larva that has lost its way or if about the size of a peanut it could be a vine weavel.
By the way there is no such thing as an ordinary caterpillar, only very hungry ones.:icon _204-2:witnessed by my very lacy looking brussel sprouts.
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