False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the parasitic wingless fly or 'bee louse', Braula coeca, riding on the back of a honeybee, Apis mellifera. The tiny fly (length 1-1.5mm) has lost the use of its wings, & its balancing organs or halteres. Instead it relies on its remarkable claws, like inwardly curving hair combs, which it slides into the bee's fur to secure its position. The adult Braula is found primarily on the queen bee, & feeds directly from the bee's mouthparts. The larvae feed on the pollen-containing wax of the honeycomb, particularly the wax covering the honey cells. Magnification: x35 at 35mm size.

Photo website with Rights Managed and Royalty Free stock photos, images, illustrations and footage available for download immediately for commercial and editorial uses. Aflo is a leading independent supplier and producer of stock pictures and visual content. Search and find high quality images and video for design, print, web-use and publishing. Buy photos from our extensive collection of model released and property released sports images. Search some of the most beautiful travel and landscape pictures from our own photographers and license from our large collection of content, modern and archive, focusing on Japan. We provide free research. Register for personal account management and for full use of our Stock Photography website and start to download images now.