The researchers, led by Dr. John Hafernik of San Francisco State University, discovered that the parasitic fly lays its eggs inside honey bees, leading to the eventual death of the bee. The infected bees exhibit strange behaviors such as flying at night, which is not typical behavior for honey bees, before succumbing to the virus.

The study also found that the parasitic fly is spreading rapidly across North America and has been detected in honey bee populations in Europe and Asia as well. This suggests that the parasitic fly may be contributing to the decline of honey bee populations worldwide.

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to further research into the impact of the parasitic fly on honey bee populations and potential ways to mitigate its effects. In the meantime, beekeepers and researchers are urged to monitor honey bee populations for signs of infection and take steps to protect them from the parasitic fly.