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Waxworms are the caterpillar larvae of wax moths, which belong to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). Two closely related species are commercially bred – the lesser wax moth (''Achroia grisella'') and the greater wax moth (''Galleria mellonella''). They belong to the tribe Galleriini in the snout moth subfamily Galleriinae. Another species whose larvae share that name is the Indian meal moth (''Plodia interpunctella''), though this species is not available commercially. The adult moths are sometimes called "bee moths", but, particularly in apiculture, this can also refer to ''Aphomia sociella'', another Galleriinae moth which also produces waxworms, but is not commercially bred. Waxworms are medium-white caterpillars with black-tipped feet and small, black or brown heads. In the wild, they live as nest parasites in bee colonies and eat cocoons, pollen, and shed skins of bees, and chew through beeswax, thus the name. Beekeepers consider waxworms to be pests. ''Galleria mellonella'' (the greater wax moths) will not attack the bees directly, but feed on the wax used by the bees to build their honeycomb. Their full development to adults requires access to used brood comb or brood cell cleanings—these contain protein essential for the larvae's development, in the form of brood cocoons. The destruction of the comb will spill or contaminate stored honey and may kill bee larvae or be the cause of the spreading of honey bee diseases. When kept in captivity, they can go a long time without eating, particularly if kept at a cool temperature. Captive wax worms are generally raised on a mixture of cereal grain, bran and honey. Microbes found in the guts of waxworms are able to feast on polyethylene, and could help dispose of plastic.〔("Evidence of Polyethylene Biodegradation by Bacterial Strains from the Guts of Plastic-Eating Waxworms" )〕〔 ("A Worm’s Gut Could Help Dispose of Plastic Trash" )〕 == Waxworms as food source == Waxworms are an ideal food for many insectivorous animals and plants. These larvae are used extensively as live food for terrarium pets and some pet birds, mostly due to their high fat content, their ease of breeding, and their ability to survive for weeks at low temperatures. Most commonly, they are used to feed reptiles such as bearded dragons (species in the genus ''Pogona''), the neon tree dragon (''Japalura splendida)'', geckos, brown anole (''Anolis sagrei''), turtles such as the three-toed box turtle (''Terrapene carolina triunguis'') or chameleons. They can also be used for amphibians such as ''Ceratophrys'' frogs or salamanders or newts such as the Strauch's spotted newt (''Neurergus strauchii'') or the axolotls. Small mammals such as the domesticated hedgehog can also be fed with wax worms, while birds such as the greater honeyguide can also appreciate the food. They can also be used as food for captive predatory insects reared in terrarium, such as assassin bugs in the genus ''Platymeris'', and are also occasionally used to feed certain kinds of fish in the wild, such as bluegills (''Lepomis macrochirus''). Waxworms can also be consumed by humans who practice entomophagy. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「waxworm」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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