Larval instars and development of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

Abstract

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, was reared at different temperatures of 5℃ intervals between 20℃ and 35℃ to determine the number of larval instars and development. The populations reared at 20℃ and 25℃ had eight larval instars, while those 30℃ and 35℃ had seven. Temperatures experienced in the first instar were critical and resulted in different numbers of instars. The temperature between 25℃ and 30℃ will be critical dividing larvae in different moulting numbers. Head width within the same instar reared at different temperatures, however, showed no difference.