Use Some of The Physicochemical Methods in Protecting Beeswax combs from The Greater Wax moth

Abstract

The study aimed to identify physicochemical methods to protect beeswax from damage by the greater wax moth, ensuring the sustainable safety of honey bee products in Basrah Governorate. Results showed that low temperatures increased moth mortality proportionally with exposure time with lower temperatures. The highest mortality, at -18 °C and exposure times of 3 and 6 hours, was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) than other treatments. Smoking with carbon dioxide also increased mortality with higher rates and longer exposure, with the highest mortality at a 98% smoking rate and 3, 6-hour exposure, again with significant differences. Fumigation using Phostoxin tablets showed mortality rising with both the number of tablets and duration, peaking at 1.5 tablets and 3 and 6-hour exposure, with significant differences. Dipping wax moths in sodium chloride solution revealed mortality increasing with salt concentration, dipping time, reaching 100% mortality at 25% salt concentration over 2, 3, 6 hours. Mortality at 25% salt with significantly different at 3 and 6 hours. Dipping wax moths in sodium chloride solution with electric shock, reaching 100% mortality at 5% salt concentration and electric shock over 5, 10, and 30 mintues. without significantly different. Biological treatments with oxalic acid at 75% and 50% concentrations for 24 and 48 hours, and with 75% acetic acid for 24 and 48 hours, achieved 100% mortality, all with significant differences. In the biological repellent and attractant tests, oxalic and acetic acids showed 100% repellency, while castor oil attracted moth larvae at 80.67%, with significant differences from other treatments.