Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

19 September 2005   9:54PM EST  (top left)
25 September 2005   8:05PM EST  (top right)
19 September 2005   (date of moth capture)  (bottom)
The photos at top left and bottom are of the same specimen.

Galleria mellonella, also known as the Greater Wax Moth, has a heftier, shaggier appearance than most other members of the Pyralidae.  The forewing is mainly gray, but there is a fairly broad reddish brown shade along the inner margin, widest near the base and tapering out towards the anal angle.  The postmedial line is vaguely discernable as a series of black dashes describing a curve roughly parallel to the outer margin.  Overall, the wing is somewhat streaked with darker gray to blackish marks, and may also appear to be partially washed with red.  Note the slightly concave shape of the outer margin, especially noticeable in the top left photo.  The hindwing is a dirty whitish color, with some grayish brown shading.  Covell (1984) indicates a wingspan of 2.5 to 3.5 cm for this species.

According to Covell (1984), the larvae of Galleria mellonella feed on beeswax and form webs over the combs in neglected beehives. He notes that the adults fly during any warm season of the year.  Other sources note that the larvae, also known as Wax Worms, are sometimes reared for fish bait and as food for insectivorous pets.

My records to date for Galleria mellonella (each date representing "the night of") are in the table below: