Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00720
Lesser Wax Moth
Achroia grisella
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About Lesser Wax Moth
Lesser Wax Moth (Achroia grisella) is a member of Pyralidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / hive pest.
Lesser Wax Moth (Achroia grisella) is an introduced moth documented from Kauaʻi and associated with honey-bee hives. Larvae feed on comb debris and wax-associated material; adult and larva require separate identification coverage.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Austin & Rubinoff (2025) state this introduced honey-bee-hive pest was previously known from Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; caterpillar/larva; pupa; adult.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Achroia grisella
- Common names
- Lesser Wax Moth
- Family
- Pyralidae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced / hive pest
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Lesser Wax Moth (Achroia grisella) is a member of Pyralidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / hive pest.