Hi there,
I'm have a little bit of a problem with one of my hives, so I'm going to go through the apiary with a fine tooth comb this weekend. I was wondering what you guys find the easiest way to diagnose these three pests. I've done my research, and come up with the Following:
EFB
- Pepperbox pattern
- Usually die before being capped
- Discoloured larvae, off white. show yellow streaks first, then turn completely yellow
- Often twisted and deformed in cell
- Melted remains in the bottom of cell
- Will not "rope out" easily
AFB
- Pepperbox pattern
- Usually die once capped or in the late larval stage
- Cappings become darker and sunken, in appearance
- "Ropes out" easily
- Dead pupae lying on back at bottom of cell, with tongue pointing towards top of cell, if often the case
- Hard black scale in back of cell, often shiny. hard to remove, queen won't lay in again
- Maybe some perforated cappings
Sacbrood. May appear similar to AFB, however:
- Remains won't rope out as easily
- Dead scale is easily removed
- Tongue won't be pointing towards top of cell
- Greater percentage of perforated cells amongst infected cells
- Upon close inspection, hardening and discoloration of the cutiles near the head can be seen, once capping remoced
- Usually occurs early in season
If you can think of anything else, or can see any inaccuracies, please feel free to help me out.
Thanks,
James.
heres all with pictures
http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/pppdIndex.html
AFB infects hive with spores that don't go away.
EFB is a treatable bacteria.
Sacbrood are usually inact in a sac, not melted in the bottom.
The other issue is Parafoulbrood which sort of resembles both EFB and AFB.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#efb
Well, I lab results back today, and........
its AFB.
yeah, that sucks. And just to make it worse, I have to organise the destruction of my hive from overseas.
Yarra_Valley. That sucks, please let us know how you will fare. Sorry to hear about the brood disease in your colony. Have a wonderful day, best of this life. Cindi
Hi there Cindy, thanks for the condolences. My brother was able to take care of it promptly which was a relief. It nice when someone does something like that for you when you're overseas. It hasn't been found in any of the other colonies which is a blessing.
Yarra_Valley. Right, I read the post about your brother doing the work, without even having had experience with the bees!!! Yeah!!! Good for him, and I am happy that not all were affected, wonderful and beautiful day in our great life. Cindi