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https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/176658/Braula-fly.pdfDiagnostic
Simple observation of adult bees, particularly the
resident queen bee, may reveal the presence of
adult braula flies. For a more thorough
examination, sticky boards/mats should be inserted
on the bottom board. Two to three grams of
tobacco should be added to the smoker. The lid
should be pushed back slightly. A liberal amount of
smoke (infused with tobacco) is applied into the
entrance of the colony, until the smoke comes out
through the top of the frames. Leave the colony for
two minutes, and then remove the sticky mats.
Careful examination of the sticky mats should
reveal the presence of braula fly. Any specimens
can be sent to the NSW DPI Entomology section
(Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange,
NSW - Australia.
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Maybe 15 years ago I found VD mites in a colony I had been
asked to remove by an executor of an Estate, the colony
had not been worked in some years. The wood being in a
sad state I elected to do a strip and rehouse on site.
On getting into the broodchamber I found the queen had
these mites on her thorax and many a drone with at least
one. I took photos - poor 35mm in those days - and torched
the whole shebang.
Much letter writing around DPI addresses followed, the end
result being "we'll keep an eye out". Local peers at that time
were interested at first but with no action forthcoming from
the DPI - the "Experts" - most soon lost interest in finding nothing
in their colonies of note.
Never seen anything like those mites again, and hope I never do.
Reading today an account elsewhere of an infestation in Tasmania
I went looking to realise it is more likely the mites were BF and,
whilst I do wonder why DPI gurus at that time failed to say so,
I am happy to read here is a use for tobacco.
A fond user of the raw product - factory filter-tips will kill ya - I
grow a few plants just for the flowers, bugs eat pretty much all
the leaf. So it is I am happy to read I am all tooled up for a BF
infestation, when it happens ... heh :-))
Bill