Pests Flashcards
What is the scientific name for the bee louse?
Braula coeca
What surface does the braula egg need to be laid upon?
Honey
What is the life cycle of the Bee Louse?
1) The adult mates on the comb
2) Eggs laid under the capping
3) Larvae tunnel through comb under capping a
4) Pupates inside larval tunnels
5) Climbs onto bee
How fast must a braula fly find a bee
Within 21 days of mating
What are the issues with braula?
They do not harm the bee but can by irritating
Favour queens so ruin her egg laying efficacy
They can ruin honey by tunnelling through the cappings
What are the differences between braula and varroa
Six legs / Eight legs
Harmless / Harmful
Doesn’t pierce the bee / does
Feeds on mouth parts/ feeds on fat bodies
How can mice be prevented?
Fit mouse guards in September and remove in March
Holes must be less than 10mm in diameter
Why are mice a nuisance?
They feed on winter stores. Can destroy the comb.
Mouse movement and urine can disturb the cluster and cause chilling and deaths
Why are woodpeckers an issue and how do you prevent them?
They bore holes when ground frozen as they can eat larvae and can cause them to become cold.
Cover the hive with a wire netting and leave a space between hive and netting
Why are livestock a pest?
They knock over the hive
How can you avoid damage by livestock damage?
Strap hives together with floors included. Put up livestock fencing.
Firm base to put the hives on so moles don’t knock them over
Why are wasps and European hornets a pest?
They eat colony members and wasps will rob the colony of stores in autumn.
What is the Latin for the green woodpecker?
Picus virdis
