The ‘ropiness’ test for
American foulbrood (left)
Scales of larvae which died
of American foulbrood can
be seen at the bottom of
the cells (middle)
Larvae infected with
European foulbrood lie
uncomfortably in their
cells (right)
WHAT ABNORMALITIES MIGHT YOU SEE? European foulbrood
American foulbrood Larvae in open cells may be lying at awkward angles andappear yellowish-brown, taking on a ‘melted’ appearance.
Sunken, greasy cappings, maybe with small perforations, Some cappings may be sunken and perforated but the
are indicative of American foulbood (AFB). The contents do not ‘rope’ as is AFB. Dry scales can be
spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae subsp. removed easily from the cells.
larvae, develops in the larva’s gut and kills it after the cell This indicates that your colony may have European
is sealed. The contents decay to a dark yellowish slime. foulbrood (EFB). The bacterium Melissococcus plutonius
If you poke a matchstick into the cell, stir it around and infects the gut and competes with the larva for food,
slowly withdraw it, the contents will form a ‘rope’ which usually killing it by starvation shortly before the cell is
can be extended for up to one inch before breaking. sealed.
The larval remains dry out to a very dark brown scale Chalkbrood
which is difficult to remove. These can be seen if you look Do uncapped cells among the sealed brood contain
down at the comb held at an angle to a light source. chalky white or mottled grey ‘mummies’? Your bees have
chalkbrood, caused by a fungus, Ascosphaera apis, which
kills larvae before sealing. The bees can remove the
33 Years serving US Beekeepers mummies easily and you may find them scattered on thefloor.
MAKE US YOUR SOURCE Sacbrood
Uncapped cells may also indicate sac brood, a virusBEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT
infection. The larva dies before its final moult, the last
skin remaining intact. Sac brood can look like AFB as theBEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT
larva dies on its back with its head pointing upwards, the
CANDLEMAKING EQUIPMENT fluid-filled membrane resembling a ‘Chinese slipper’. The
SOAPMAKING EQUIPMENT contents turn yellow, then black. However, unlike AFBscale, the sac is easily removed from the cell.
PACKAGE BEES
QUEENS Bald brood
UNIQUE CONTAINERS Bald brood also results in uncapped cells. This can be
EXPERT INFORMATION genetic or caused by damage to the comb by wax moth
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORNSYRUP
Free catalog on request
B & B HONEY FARM
5917 Hop Hollow Road, Houston, MN 55943
info: 507-896-3955 Order: 1-800-342-4811
In the early stages, the
www.bbhoneyfarms.com // bbhoney@acegroup.cc chalkbrood fungus givesdead larvae a fluffy look
Page 12 Bee Craft America January 2009
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