The exceptional attachment ability of the ectoparasitic bee louse Braula coeca (Diptera, Braulidae) on the honeybee

Abstract

Bee lice (Braulidae) are small parasitic flies, which are adapted to live on their bee host. As such, the wingless Braula coeca is a parasite of the common honey bee Apis mellifera and it is well adapted to attach to its hairy surface. The attachment system of B. coeca provides a secure grip on the fine setae of the bee. This is crucial for the parasite survival, as detachment from the host is fatal for the bee louse. The feet morphology of B. coeca is well adapted to the challenging bee surface, notably by strongly broadened claws, which are split into a high number of comb-like teeth, perfectly matching the diameter of the bee hairs. Based on microscopy observations, both the morphology and material composition of the tarsi of B. coeca are characterized in detail. Using high-speed video analysis, we combine the morphology data on the attachment system with a behavioural context. Furthermore, we directly measured the attachment forces generated by the bee lice in contact with the host. In particular, the claws are involved in attachment to the host, as the interstices between the teeth-like spines allow for the collection of several hairs and generate strong friction, when the hairs slip to the narrow gap between the spines. The overall morphology of the tarsus produces strong attachment, with average safety factors (force per body weight) around 1130, and stabilizes the tarsal chain with lateral stoppers against overflexion, but also allows for the fast detachment by the tarsal chain torsion.