Since we are in the beekeeping off season I dare to ask something that has been rattling around in my brain. I like to ice fish and have used wax worms as bait for years. Now that I keep bees I realize these are wax moth larva. So, is there a season where they are most prolific? Could I take some frames I am rotating out and leave them outdoors and let the moths produce larva on them and then harvest the larva for bait? Is it too risky? I sure would not want to increase the population of wax moths either. I wonder where the suppliers get wax worms and how they are produced for sale?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2131.html
Thanks, D.A. for the link. Fascinating reading. My kids and I will have to try this some time for a science experiment.
You’re welcome twb. Here are a couple of more links you might (or not) find useful if you end up with lots of wax moths. Haven’t personally tried them myself, though. ;)
http://www.manataka.org/page160.html
http://www.dmoz.org/Home/Cooking/Wild_Foods/Insects/