May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 349 



Notes on Some Cases of Paralysis in Bees* 



W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector, 



While a good deal of invpstigation has been carried out by scientists in 

 different parts of the world in connection with paralysis in bees, and not- 

 withstanding that a quantity of valuable information concerning it has been 

 gathered, the exciting cause and the successful treatment of the trouble are 

 still somewhat obscure. Confusion is also caused in Xew South Wales by 

 the use of several different names, as for instance, " paralysis," " Isle of 

 Wight disease," and " dwindling." As fijr as the name " Isle of Wight " is 

 «<::oncerned, it can be ruled out for New South Wales, and the name paralysis 

 adopted, for even in England, where Isle of Wight disease has caused such 

 loss in bees, it appears as a form of paralysis which atfects the colonies 

 during the winter months or during weather that allows only a poor chance 

 for the colony to recover. I do not think that any form of paralysis in New 

 ^outh Wales originated from the Isle of Wight. In this State the disease 

 affects the colonies during the active part of the season and appears in two 

 noticeable forrns. The signs pointing to what may be termed a genuine case 

 ■of bee paralysis are : — ( 1 ) Bees dead and dying about the entrance to the 

 hive ; (2) bees partially paralysed and with abdomen distended ; (.3) bees 

 with a trembling movement and with wings spread out ; (4) bees with a 

 greasy and shiny appearance. 



A Milder Form of Paralysis. 



The other form of paralysis occurs in a milder form and is more prevalent. 

 Indications of its presence are: — (1) Bees dead and dying about the 

 entrance; {'2) bees partially paralysed and with abdomen somewhat 

 distended ; (3) bees with wings appearing as if damp with nectar. In the 

 milder form of paralysis the reader will note the absence of the outspread 

 wings and of the trembling. 



In genuine paralysis, exijeriments give ample proof that a good deal of the 

 fault lies in the breeding of the bees of the affected colonies; the weakness 

 may come from the queen or the drone. The milder form of paralysis is 

 usually brought about by digestive troubles, some peculiarity of a season 

 or practically any condition that lowers the vitality of bees having a 

 tendency in that direction. Sometimes the apiarist is at a loss to know what 

 condition has lowered the vitality sutBciently to admit the disease. In most 

 cases of this form of ])aralysis a number of colonies will be affected at one 

 time, and when favourable stimulating conditions come about the disease will 

 usually disappear without treatment. Not so, however, with the genuine case 

 ^where the outspread wings and trembling are evident), for it is rarely found 

 that better conditions will restore the bees to normal health when the fault 

 lies with the breeding. ' 



