BCBC would like to thank
Dr. Zachary Huang, Associate Professor of Entomology, Michigan State University for allowing us to republish his honeybee photos and photo descriptions here. Please visit his site at Beetography.com
Special thanks also to
Dr. David Tarpy, Assistant Professor of Entomology at NCSU for allowing us to republish information on bee pests and treatments. You can visit his site here. |
Cause(s):
The bacterium Melissococcus pluton and associated flora
Symptoms:
--- Brood is dull white, becoming light brown to almost black.
--- Age of dead brood is usually younger, unsealed larvae.
--- Consistency of remains are rubbery and granular, not elastic.
Treatment:
--- Verify infestation and distinguish from other brood diseases
--- For colonies with light infections, reduce the area of the brood nest, replace infected combs with foundation, and keep colony population strong.
--- For colonies with heavy infections, treat with Terramycin®. Feed to colonies in powdered sugar by dusting the appropriate amount on the top bars on the outside of the brood nest.
--- For all cases, maintain a hive quarantine (i.e., do not exchange frames from or
into the hive) and be vigilant for re-emergent signs of EFB.
 Larvae showing typical Europeal foulbrood (EFB) symptoms. These larvae die earlier than those of AFB, while the larvae are still coiled (AFB larvae die in straight, upright position.) and show yellow streaks first which then turn brown. Caused by a baterium Melissococcus pluton (formerly Streptococcus pluton). Photo by M.V. Smith, University of Guelph.
 Photo showing larvae infected with Europeal foulbrood, when removed from the cells. Caused by a baterium Melissococcus pluton (formerly Streptococcus pluton). Photo by M.V. Smith, University of Guelph.
 "Scale" formed by a dead larva which was killed by EFB. Dead larva killed by EFB usually does not form a "rope" when strirred and then drawn with a small stick (toothpick or match stick). Photo by M.V. Smith, University of Guelph. |
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