Tiny black droppings on mite board...What am I looking for inside?

[Bees In Miami]

Hi all...I tried the search to no avail...I suppose there are many words for 'droppings'... :-D   I slid the mite board under one of my hives a couple days ago when I was giving the girls some powdered sugar.  (I figured it would help keep the ants down for any sugar that fell all the way through...who knows).  Anyways, I pulled the board out today, and found a cluster of tiny black turds (I think?) clustered about the size of a silver dollar.  I inspected this hive just a few days ago, and didn't notice anything other than some SHB.  I know approximately which frame would be the suspect frame, but what am I looking for??  Wax Moth larvae?  I didn't notice any, but maybe I just missed it...??  Any other ideas for the culprit leaving these droppings?  Or could it be something small laying eggs on the slide in board??  Again, it's all in a cluster, they are tiny, and I am puzzled.   Thanks everyone in advance!  

[buzzbee]

It could be frass from wax moths.

[sterling]

Sounds like could be wax moths its hard to see the larva at first they are small and in between the comb. Did you see any webbing like spider webs in a cell? If so the eggs or larva is under that.

[Bees In Miami]

Thanks for the replies...I too, was suspecting Wax Moth.  I did not see anything unusual on the inspection just 3 days prior to my find.  No webs, nothing...  Unfortunately I have business to tend to that will not allow time for a reinspect until at least Monday (unless I pay a beek in the area to make a trip for me).  I hope the girls can fend whatever off until then!  I HATE not being able to get to my hives.   :(  Thanks again for the input!!  If it IS Wax Moth...How quickly can they take over?  It is my weakest hive, with as of last week, 5 full stong frames of brood, capped brood, and honey, and 5 frames they are partially working.  Think they are ok for another 5 days?  Thanks again! 

[bailey]

Sounds like you have a screen bottom board. They are probably below the screen.  Is the insert you used made of coroplast?  If so check the holes in the sides for your waxworms..
I haven't had moths take out a strong hive yet but I guess they could overcome a weak one.
Bailey

[Michael Bush]

Lesser wax moths are small and tend to stay in the mid rib.  You have to look hard to find them sometimes.  Bees struggling to emerge are sometimes a symptom of lesser wax moths.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#waxmoths

[bud1]

mouse

[Michael Bush]

Mouse droppings are kind of long and rounded on the ends.  Wax moth feces is more like someone took a tube and made square cuts on it to make the pieces... so I guess it depends on what they look like...

[markwell]

To be honest, mouse droppings are quite easy to spot comparing to insect droppings