B. coeca
Braula coeca (Diptera; Braulidae), also known as bee louse, feeds on nectar and rich in protein jelly directly from the honey bee, as well as on material secreted by the host. Their larvae tunnel through the hive, damaging it and nourish on the honey and pollen. [1] There is evidence, that an infestation of B. coeca leads to a reduction of worker bees and further reduces honey production rate. [2] A study showed, that a treatment with tobacco smoke reduces the amount of Braula orientalis and increases honey yield (compared to untreated hives). [3] This method may also be effective for hives, infested with B. coeca. At low presence, impact on honey bee populations is negligible, but Braula is known to play an important role as a vector of viruses and other diseases. [4]
Ethiopia: Adeday et al. (2012) reported an infestation level of 3-6% in Ethiopia, but B. coeca is considered to be a negligible risk. [2] [4] A study by Haylegebriel (2014) revealed, that the hive type (transitional<modern<traditional) and the management type (apiary<backyard beekeeping) are significantly associated with the prevalence in infestation rate of B. coeca. [5]
Indonesia: So far, there is no information on the presence and dangerousness of B. coeca in Indonesia!
References
- ↑ Morse, R. A., & Nowogrodzki, R. (1990). Honey Bee Pests, Predators, and Diseases (2nd edition). Comstock Publishing Associates, USA.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Adeday, G., Shiferaw, M., & Abebe, F. (2012). Prevalence of Bee Lice Braula coeca (Diptera: Braulidae) and Other Perceived Constraints to Honey Bee Production in Wukro Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Global Veterinaria, 8(6), 631-635.
- ↑ Al Ghzawi, A. A.-M., Zaitoun, S., & Shannag, H. (2009). Management of Braula orientalis Örösi (Diptera: Braulidae) in honeybee colonies with tobacco smoke under semiarid conditions. Entomological Research, 39(3), 168–174.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pirk, C. W. W., Strauss, U., Yusuf, A. A., Démares, F., & Human, H. (2015). Honeybee health in Africa—a review. Apidologie, 47(3), 276–300.
- ↑ Haylegebriel, T. (2014). Honey bee diseases, pest and their economic importance in Ethiopia. International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, 10(2), 527-535.
