I'm interested in your experiences with Braula coeca (bee louse) particularly in relate to its juxtaposition with Varroa in the early days of its establishment in North American honey bee stocks.  It's my understanding that the wingless fly was commonly confused with Varroa by folks at the beginning of the global Varroa spread, until everyone learned what Varroa did and didn't look like.  Is this observation consistent with your experience, those of you who were beekeeping prior to Varroa's arrival?

I'm told by a veteran beekeeper in Quebec that they had a Braula infestation in some imported Western Australian packages which beeks confused with Varroa, back in the day.

We have no record of the fly here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Also, this paper by Colwell, et al. is of interest. I'm trying to get my hands on it.

Colwell MJ, Currie RW, Pernal SF (2016) Possible transmission of honey bee viruses by wax comb and Braula coeca. 109th Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association Annual Convention, 26-27 Feb 2016, Winnipeg, MB.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/abstract/publication?id=39586000000484

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