Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Its name bears no relationship to its geographical spread.
The early stages are not easily identified, so ask for advice if you think something
is amiss.
The larvae die
after
the cell has been capped.
It appears that AFB is becoming resistant to oxytetracycline, and the inexperienced
use of oxytetracycline may contaminate the honey.
If you leave AFB unchecked, it will destroy the colony and spread to others.
If you have handled a colony with AFB, sterilize your hive tool, wash your bee suit
and burn your gloves.
Try not to blow yourself up when using petrol to destroy an infected hive.
European Foul Brood (EFB)
Like AFB, EFB is a bacterial disease. The causal agent of EFB is the bacterium,
Melissococcus pluton
, which infests the guts of bee larvae. Although considered less
damaging to a colony than AFB, it should never be underestimated and should be
attended to if and when detected. The bacterium does not form spores, although it can
overwinter on comb. Because it doesn't form spores it's not as infectious as AFB and, if
it is caught in its early stages, the colony can usually be saved.
EFB is often considered a 'stress' disease - a disease that is dangerous only if the
colony is already under stress for other reasons such as frequent moves, other disease
problems, pesticide poisoning and so on. If the colony is given the chance to build up,
however, it can usually survive.
Identifying EFB
The following are the signs of an EFB infestation:
The larvae die of starvation because of the action of the bacteria in the gut, and
they change to an off-white colour - not the pearly white of healthy larvae.
The larvae adopt unnatural positions in the cells and are not coiled neatly.
