Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators and Diseases
Braula coeca, or the bee louse, as it is called, is actually a wingless fly. The adults
are small (slightly smaller than the head of a straight pin), and reddish brown in color. While several adult flies
may live on a queen, usually only one will be found on a worker. These apparently do little harm. Note: Braula
coeca is rarely found in colonies today since they are susceptible to treatments for parasitic mites but a casual
glance may lead one to mistake Braula for Varroa mites since they are so similar in color and size. Braula have
six legs while Varroa have 8 legs.
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