Life Cycle of a Waxworm

Wax worms are not worms, but are actually the greater wax moth's (Galleria mellonella) larval stage, states FOSSWEB. Wax worms are a food source for birds, most frogs, lizards, insects and other reptiles.

  1. Description

    • The average length of a wax worm is ¾ inch, with a maximum length of an inch. Their soft, white to tan, fat bodies are quite active.

    Egg

    • After mating, the adult female moths usually lay their eggs in old or run-down beehives, and then die. Beehives provide a perfect 86-degree temperature for the life cycle of six to seven weeks.

    Larva

    • After feeding on the beehive̵7;s honey, the larvae crawl into crevices to make their silk. The silk is a lifeline as webbing, which the larvae can walk on and use as material to build protective cocoons where the larvae rest and transform into pupae.

    Pupa

    • Wax worms remain in the pupa stage for one to two weeks to emerge into adult moths.

    Adult Moth

    • The adult moths do not drink nor eat. Mating occurs and the wax worms̵7; life cycle begins again.

    Farming Wax Worms

    • To farm wax worms for fishing bait or a nutritional source for a pet such as a bird or reptile, the wax worms can be purchased from bait stores, pet stores and wax worm farms.