![]() Image by Jeff Pettis Greater wax moth ( Galleria mellonella) Although several adult flies may live on a queen, usually only one will be found on a worker. The adults are small (slightly smaller than the head of a straight pin) and reddish brown in color. Images by Robyn Underwood Bee louse ( Braula coeca)īraula coeca, commonly known as the bee louse, is actually a wingless fly. The larvae are small, cream-colored grubs without prolegs. The adult beetle is small (about one-third the size of a bee), black or brown, and covered with fine hair. The small hive beetle, North America’s newest beekeeping pest, was first identified in Florida in the spring of 1998. Image courtesy of the University of Manitoba Small hive beetle ( Aethina tumida) The mites pierce the breathing tube walls with their mouthparts and feed on the hemolymph, or blood, of the bees. Tracheal mites may also be found in air sacs in the thorax, abdomen, and head. This internal parasitic mite lives within the tracheae, or breathing tubes, inside the thorax of adult honey bees. ![]() Images by Robyn Underwood Honey bee tracheal mite ( Acarapis woodi)Ī second mite that infests honey bees is the honey bee tracheal mite. This external parasite feeds on the fat bodies of adult bees, prepupae, and pupae. The varroa mite is considered by many to be the most serious malady of honey bees. Images by Robyn Underwood Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, and Predators Varroa mite ( Varroa destructor) Healthy capped worker brood normally appears as a solid pattern of cells with only a few uncapped cells these may contain eggs, uncapped larvae, nectar, or pollen. A healthy worker brood pattern is easy to recognize: brood cappings are medium brown in color, convex, and without punctures. They are curled in a “C” shape on the bottom of the cell and continue to grow during the larval period, eventually filling their cell. ![]() Healthy worker, queen, and drone larvae are pearly white in color with a glistening appearance. It is important to be able to identify healthy brood stages. The queen is an especially important individual in the colony, as she is the only actively reproductive female and generally lays all the eggs. Honey Bee Development Queen honey beeĪ healthy honey bee colony has three distinct types of individuals: queen, worker, and drone. ![]() For a more detailed treatment of this subject, including descriptions of symptoms and approved treatments and control measures, see the additional resources provided at the end of this brochure. This brochure is a quick reference to common honey bee maladies. The key to protecting honey bee colonies from harmful diseases, parasites, and other pests is the ability to identify problems early. ![]()
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