Would this be a wax moth? (picture)

[sunnyside]

First and foremost, I want to apologize for asking so many questions today!!!

Opened up the hive today and found a moth perched on the inside of the outer cover (where it hangs over).  I picked it up and placed it on the inner cover to take a quick picture of it and the bees came from nowhere and snatched it right up, so I regrett he picture is not the greatest.  Hoping you can tell fromt he pic if it is a wax moth?  If it is, should I be concerned with them at this point?  There was only 1 and only in one hive (not actually in the hive but on the cover overhang). 



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[Poppi]

It could be!   hard to tell with the bees covering it and it being upside down.  It looks to be the right size.

Someone else will be able to help you with being concerned..  I haven't had that experience and hope I never do.  I did learn a lesson about leaving foundation in my garage...  DUH!!!   won't ever do that again.

[AllenF]

Looks like one to me.   Looks dead also which is good.

[BlueBee]

Sure looks like one of the buggers to me.  I HATE wax moths!  It's not the moth that is the problem, it is the 200 eggs and then the caterpillars one moth can lay.  The caterpillars can tunnel all through your wax and completely destroy frames and the hive.

Should you be concerned?  Not necessarily.  There are always lots of moths trying to get into a bee hive.  If you've only got one, you're doing good.  I don't get excited about seeing the wax moths (in the moth form), they exist, they're always around.  I get concerned when I see wax moth caterpillar frass (droppings) or webbing in a nuc. 

If you see wax moth frass, then you have a problem that you have to do something about.  Normally a strong will keep the wax moth's in check and off the combs.  One way to prevent problems is to have lots of bees in your hive.  That can be easier said than done when conditions are not great or when you have a small nuc. 

In summary, I wouldn't lose sleep in your case if your hives have lots of bees and if you don't see any frass/webbing in your hives.

[iddee]

I see them often. I don't worry about them until I see webbing, or trails, on the comb.

[Michael Bush]

The bees obviously think so... I'm not sure I can tell a miller (Euxoa auxiliaris) from a greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), in fact I'm not even sure they are really different... but since it's hanging around a beehive, I vote for wax moth.