bee moth

a brownish pyralid moth, Galleria mellonella, the larvae of which feed on the honeycombs in beehives.

Also called wax moth.

Origin of bee moth

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

But I have not yet spoken of the most fruitful cause of the desolating ravages of the bee-moth.

Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey-Bee |L. L. Langstroth
Hundreds are caught in this way, although many other kinds besides the bee-moth will be mixed with them.

Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained |M. Quinby
It has been found very difficult to preserve comb from the bee-moth, when it is taken from the bees.

Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey-Bee |L. L. Langstroth
It should enable the Apiarian, if the bee-moth ever gains the upper hand of the bees, to remove the combs, and expel the worms.

Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey-Bee |L. L. Langstroth

Wax is the proper aliment of the larvæ of the bee-moth: and upon this seemingly indigestible substance, they thrive and fatten.

Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey-Bee |L. L. Langstroth

bee moth

any of various pyralid moths, such as the wax moth, whose larvae live in the nests of bees or wasps, feeding on nest materials and host larvae