Wings are held over the back when at rest. No other caterpillar pests are known to infest bee hives. Mated females lay eggs at night. They pupate in tough silken cocoons in and around the hive in protected places. Up to three generations occur annually.
Caterpillars have chewing mouthparts.
Adults have siphoning mouths. Caterpillars tunnel through wax of honeycombs in bee hives during the night and construct silken tunnels and feed on wax, pollen, cocoons. Older, dark honeycombs of weakened colonies are more frequently attacked and seriously damaged. Caterpillars can be dissected from infested bee hives. This insect is cultured for fish bait and scientific studies.