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BEEKEEPING BASICS - PESTS AND DISEASES
Braula fly
The Braula fly (Braula coeca) is a wingless fly primarily affecting honey bee colonies. Often
mistakenly referred to as a braula louse, the insect can directly impact the overall function and
health of a colony or entire apiary.
Braula flies live directly on the bodies of bees, clinging onto them with comb-like attachments to
their front legs. The insects do not bite the bees themselves. Instead, they migrate to the bee’s
mouth and feed on nectar, pollen and other natural secretions.
These flies typically present on bees where most feeding occurs, but they can lay eggs all across the hive.
Despite the prolific egg-laying, capped honeycomb is the only area where eggs will successfully hatch.
Physical description DECREASED HONEY PRODUCTION AND COMB VIABILITY
Successful Braula fly hatches occur directly on the
Braula flies are tiny, measuring just 0.9 mm wide
honeycomb within a hive. As the fly larvae grow, they
and 1.5 mm in length. They are reddish-brown, with
burrow through the comb itself. This affects the overall
six legs and a hairy body.
number of comb available within a hive. In severe
cases, this can lead to a reduction in honey output.
Symptoms
MALNOURISHED QUEEN AND POOR HIVE PRODUCTION
Braula flies are typically a much lower threat
Braula fly infestation on the queen is fairly rare,
compared to other insects or parasites. However,
but can happen in cases of severe infestation. The
there are several negative effects they can have if
Braula can attach to the queen and impair her
left untreated in a colony.
ability to eat. In these cases, poor egg laying can
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lead to a population drop-off within the hive. This IMMEDIATE HONEY STORAGE IN THE FREEZER
level of infestation can snowball into a weakened
Finally, after extraction, comb honey should be placed
bee population and a higher susceptibility to other
immediately into the freezer. If there are any eggs
diseases, parasites or infections. Additionally, the
or larvae present in the honey, the freezing process
visual impact of burrowed honeycomb makes it
will kill them. This process is also effective against
considerably less appealing for sale.
multiple other bee pests.
How it spreads
Preventing Braula fly infestation
Braula flies can be introduced into a colony in a
The overall threat of Braula flies is minor for the
variety of ways:
majority of colonies it affects. In many cases, a
• fly attachment to swarming bees
strong, robust hive can easily survive and overcome
• drifting or rogue bees introducing flies into the hive an infestation through natural means.
• package or queen bees from other locations
The use of miticides has helped to mitigate the
spreading the pest
population of this pest throughout most of the world.
• spreading infected honeycomb to other areas.
As a result, most beekeepers will not need to worry
about an infestation in their apiaries.
Eradication methods
Fortunately, miticides will likely be unnecessary to
There are three main ways to help eliminate Braula prevent infestation within a hive. If flies are suspected
flies. or visually confirmed, beekeepers should take caution
in the removal and spreading of combs. Additionally,
1. TOBACCO-INFUSED SMOKE
a few tobacco-infused smoke treatments will likely
Tobacco-infused smoke has been shown to be an eliminate the threat from the hive altogether.
effective and environmentally-conscious eradication
method for the fly. Please note that regular use of
tobacco should only be employed in more severe
cases of infestation. Frequent use of this method
could negatively impact the bees — potentially
killing adults and compromising hive function.
Detecting Braula fly bees. As a result, tunnelled, uneven STICKY MATS AND TOBACCO-
INFUSED SMOKE
presence in your colony burrowing paths will be present on
the comb. If Braula flies are suspected but
Beekeepers can use these identifiers not visually confirmed, another
VISUAL IDENTIFICATION OF FLIES ON
to positively confirm the presence of detection method involves a sticky
ADULT HONEY BEES
braula flies within a hive. mat and a little bit of smoke. Place
Braula flies are much larger than sticky mats on the bottom board
TUNNELLED APPEARANCE OF
other mites or pests that plague of the hive, add a few grams of
LARVAE BURROWING ACROSS THE
colonies. As a result, visual tobacco to the bee smoker and
HONEYCOMB
identification is often the most add smoke to the hive until it
A telltale sign of this particular effective method to identify these comes out from the top. Wait a
pest is confirmed through the insects on bees. Beekeepers can few minutes then check the mats.
honeycomb itself. Braula larvae generally spot one or more of If Braula is present, many of them
will burrow across the comb as the flies on the top or sides of an will appear on the sticky mat and
they grow and search for adult adult bee. their presence can be confirmed.
SOURCES BANNER PHOTOS ON PAGE 1
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/176658/Braula-fly.pdf 1. Braula fly. PHOTO: Kelly Ventura
http://beeaware.org.au/archive-pest/braula-fly/ 2. Evidence of Braula fly may present as tunnelling on honeycomb. PHOTO: Nick Anand
http://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Braula-fly-FS.pdf 3. Adult Braula fly on honey bees. PHOTO: Harold Ayton
http://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/pests/braula-fly/
http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/braula.html
Beekeeping requires specialist skills, carries inherent dangers, and is often subject to regulation. Instructional content we provide is intended as a general guide only and may not be applicable to your specific
circumstances. If in doubt, seek assistance from your local authority, a professional beekeeping service or your nearest beekeeping association.
