Pests of Honey Bees

Bee Louse (Braula coeca)

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.

<< PREVIOUS

INDEX

NEXT >>