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Pests of Honey Bees

Bee louse

Picture 2 of 15

Braula move rapidly over the body surface, settling on the dorsal surface at the junction of the bee's thorax and abdomen. They remain there until a hunger response causes them to crawl up to the bee's head near its mouth parts. This movement seems to cause the bee to regurgitate a drop of nectar. The bee louse then inserts its mouth parts into those of its benefactor and takes its food.