Braula
Appearance
Braula | |
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Braula coeca | |
Scientific classification | |
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Genus: | Braula Nitzsch, 1818
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Type species | |
Braula coeca[1] Nitzsch, 1818
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Species | |
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Braula is a genus of flies (Diptera) in the family Braulidae or bee lice. These are very unusual flies, wingless and flattened, and barely recognizable as Diptera. Braula coeca Nitzsch is a pest of honey bees. The larvae tunnel through the wax honeycomb and the adults are found on the bodies of honey bees. There is some debate as to whether the bee louse causes damage to the honey bee. These flies sometimes can be found at places where bees congregate such as flowers or salt licks, waiting to grab onto hosts from uninfested nests. Braula is cosmopolitan and about 1.6 mm in length.
Species
- Braula coeca Nitzsch, 1818
- Braula kohli Schmitz, 1914[2]
- Braula orientalis Òròsi Pál, 1939
- Braula pretoriensis Òròsi Pál, 1939
- Braula schmitzi Òròsi Pál, 1939[3]
References
- ^ a b Papp, L (1984). Soós, Árpád; Papp, Lazlo (eds.). Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera (Print). Vol. 10. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 178–180. ISBN 0-444-99601-X.
- ^ Schmitz, H. (1914). "Eine auf der afrikanischer Honigbiene schmarotzende neue Braula-Art". Archives de zoologie expérimentale et générale. 54: 121–123. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ Dobson, J.R. (1999). "Bee-louse Braula schmitzi Örösi-Pál (Diptera: Braulidae) new to the British Isles, and the status of Braula spp. in England and Wales". British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. 11. British Entomological and Natural History Society: 139–148.
External links
- Braula coeca, bee louse on the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures website
- Photograph of a bee louse