Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The big problem with AFB is that, when the vegetative form of the bacterium eventually
dies, it produces millions of spores. This means that each dead larva may contain as
many as 100 million spores. It is these spores that can be spread so easily, especially by
the beekeeper and by the bees which drift into or rob other hives.
Identifying AFB
Identifying the early stages of AFB is difficult but possible and, because this disease
could destroy all your colonies, it is worth looking out for it every time you inspect your
colonies. Look for the following.
In the early stages, the combs may or may not have the pepper-pot appearance typical of
the disease. 'Pepper pot' describes exactly what you may see - a brood comb with sealed
brood but with many gaps in the sealed brood that resemble the holes in a pepper pot
(see Photograph 9 in the colour photograph section of this topic).
The cell cappings may be dark brown and sunken. At this stage, you can tease out
the brown remains of the larvae. These will be like a thread about 2 cm (1 in) long.
A matchstick pushed through the capping and slowly pulled it out should extract the
telltale 'rope' of a dead larva (see Photograph 10 in the colour photograph section of
this topic.
Sometimes the cappings are perforated and, instead of being pearly or creamy white,
the larvae are discoloured.
Later, the larvae dry out and become difficult to remove as a result of the pupal tongue
that projects from some of the now scale-like larvae to the centre of the cell.
Colonies infected with AFB really do smell foul. Get to know the nice smell of a healthy
colony. Then, when you smell something different, suspect AFB.
Treating AFB
Treating AFB is difficult and, in some countries, beekeepers are not permitted to
treat it themselves. Know the rules and, if in doubt, ask. Treatments for AFB include,
however, the following:
