The wax moth-an opportunistic pest
The greater and lesser wax moths are native pests that are found almost everywhere and have been around forever. Wax moth larvae can cause significant damage to a hive by feeding on honey and destroying combs as they go. Wax moth larvae damage is immediately identified by not just larvae, but by the incredibly strong and abundant silk thread that they leave all over everything.
The upside is that wax moths are opportunists that are easily conquered. The hives that are most vulnerable to wax moth infestation are hives that have been weakened by something else, such as a recent swarm event or a severe varroa mite infestation. Another big contributor to the likelihood of wax moth infestation is a hive that uses a top entrance or multiple entrances, giving moths easy access to the top of the hive interior. Maintaining strong colonies with only bottom entrances will go a long way in protecting against wax moths.