Department Circular 33^, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



the parasites before the introduction of the queens. Usually the 

 parasites have disappeared promptly. Since more queenbees have 

 been imported into the United States from Italy than from any other 

 -country, Braula is sometimes mentioned in the American literature 

 as the ''Italian bee louse." The carelessness of American beekeepers 

 regarding Braula is doubtless due to presumably authentic statements 

 to the effect that the permanent introductiori of Braula into the 

 United States is impossible, that it is confined to warm climates, or 

 that it is a quite harmless species. Unless Braula is actually ben- 

 eficial its introduction is not to be desired, for American beekeepers 

 already have their lull share of imported nuisances and pests in the 

 various diseases of the brood and of adult bees, as well as recognized 

 specific enemies of honeybees, all of which are, of course, importa- 

 tions. In addition to the occurrence of Braula in Carroll County, 

 Md., it is also authentically reported to occur in a small area in south 

 central Pennsylvania. Prof. A. D. Whedon, now at the North Dakota 

 Agricultural College, Fargo, N. Dak., has kindly furnished the writer 

 with a photomicrograph of Braula taken by him some yeai*s ago at 

 Mankato, Minn., from bees located there. The extent and perma- 

 nence of this occurrence of Braula are unknown. There is no record 

 of importations shortly before these specimens were taken to explain 

 their presence. Beekeepers who find any instances of the occurrence 

 of this species in the United States will confer a favor by sending 

 specimens and a history of the case to the writer. 



CONDITIONS IN INFESTED APIARIES IN MARYLAND 



The apiaries in Carroll County in which Braula has been found 

 are under the management of successful commercial beekeepers who 

 ha^e watched this species for several years to determine whether it is 

 damaging their colonies. They report that it does no damage to 

 strong, healthy colonies in case it is found in them, and in this respect 

 they agree with most European observers. Braula is here usually 

 found on worker bees, rarely more than one to a bee, but under some 

 circumstances they may collect in larger numbers on the queenbees. 

 If, for example, an infested colony of black bees becomes queenless 

 (perhaps in some cases because of the presence of Braula) and if 

 then a young Italian queen is introduced, the insects collect in con- 

 siderable numbers on the young queen and within a few months she 

 may have the appearance and behavior of an old queen. In the 

 brief examination made of this infestation one drone was found carry- 

 ing a Braula. Although no thorough examination has been made of 

 all the colonies in the infested apiaries, probably not more than 10 

 per cent of the colonies contain Braula, and it is noteworthy that some 

 of the strongest colonies, and those producing good honey crops, are 

 infested. These apiaries are as well managed as are most commercial 

 apiaries and can not be classed as badly managed. The results as 

 measured by the honey crops are good, and it is not the belief of the 

 owners that Braula is reducing the honey crop. There are many 

 poorly kept apiaries in the neighborhood, however, in which the 

 presence of Braula might show a different result. 



