Bright yellow larvae in Tree Bee nest?

[emmark13]

We've been investigating a nest which bees were living in until recently. They were tree bees and it looks as though they made their home in an old birds nest.

There seem to be segmented honeycomb shapes in the centre, but there's no way we can pull it apart. it's like well matted loft insulation! A few bright yellow caterpillars/larvae wiggled out . They have tiny black dots down the side of each segment and are about 2-3cm long. Any idea what they might be? The nest was found in a fir tree.

[Dogghound]

Can you get a photo?

[triops]

Hi emmark,

Several postings about these recently. Google Aphomia sociella, the Bee Moth. Or, in this case possibly Galleria mellonella, the Wax Moth.

[emmark13]

[emmark13]

What could the nest be made of? It's made of something very fibrous and matted, like loft insulation/cotton wool. Any ideas?

[emmark13]

Thanks triops! Google Aphomia sociella, the Bee Moth.

I think this is it!