Abstract:
The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colony hosts a diversity of
pathogens, parasites and pests. The introduced ectoparasite, Varroa
destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari: Varroidae), is regarded as one
of the most serious threats to honey bee health today (Rosenkranz et
al., 2010). The population dynamics and negative effects of V.
destructor have been well documented in Europe and the USA
(Rosenkranz et al., 2010). In contrast, the population size and impact
on colonies of Braula coeca Nitzsch (Diptera; Braulidae), a wingless
fly, are less well documented. This fly is generally considered to be a
minor pest (Hepburn, 1978), but a large number of individuals on
queens might decrease their ability to lay eggs (Argo, 1926; Crane,
1990) and their larvae can cause physical damage to honey combs
when they tunnel below the wax cappings (Hepburn, 1978; Ellis,
2008).
