Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 883 



Diseases of Bees in New South Wales. 



W. A. OOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. 



MoDER.N methods of hive Hianagement allow of the observation of the bees, 

 and have made it possible for the scientist and practical apiarist to investi- 

 gate disease. A great deal of :svork of vital importance to bee-farmers has 

 thus been carried out, so that even the beginner can enter the' business to- 

 day with some assurance that if he is observant and uses up-to-date methods 

 of management the risk that he will be put out of the business by disease is 

 small. A habit of observation, use of modern material, and a determination 

 to keep in line with the latest methods of management will go far to prevent 

 outbreak and spread of disease, and although there will certainly be times 

 when the most competent apiarist will have his colonies affected witli 

 some trouble, he will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that he can 

 usually trace it to an outside source. Principally such trouble will be brood 

 disease, for this is easily passed on from a careless or incompetent bee- 

 keeping neighbour. Where such a cause is suspected, the interested apiarist 

 should report the matter to the Department of Agriculture at once, when 

 inspection will be made of the locality. 



Every bee-farmer should be thoroughly acquainted with the symptoms of 

 all serious diseases of bees. The beginner at times finds suspicious matter 

 giving the idea that disease is present and it is always wise to take the 

 precautions necessary to prevent the spread of disease where there is any 

 suspicion of its presence. This done, a scientific diagnosis of any trouble 

 should be obtained by forwarding a sample of doubtful matter to the 

 Department for biological examination. The subject of forwarding samples 

 of brood and bees will be dealt with later. 



The diseases that affect colonies of bees are of two forms — those that 

 affect the brood and those that affect the adult bee. Definite diagnoses and 

 sound and practical recommendations for treatment of the firstmentioned 

 have been made by various investigators; but, although considerable atten- 

 tion has been given to the diseases of the adult bee, equally definite 

 diagnoses has not yet been found possible, and the matter of their treatment 

 is still somewhat obscure. If care is taken, however, and the treatment 

 advocated is given, serious losses can usually be avoided. Most apiarists 

 have some trouble with adult bee disease, but it rarely, if ever, comes in the 

 form of a serious epidemic. 



American Foul Brood {Jiacilhos larvce). 

 The name " foul brood " is in itself expressive. In this disease the bruod, 

 when in an advanced stage, has a foul or offensive odour: the prefix 

 " American " is to distinguish it from other foul brood. The cause of the 

 disease is the organism Bacilhts larviv, which finds suitable media in which 

 to thrive in bee larv?e. When it is recognised that thousands of spores from 



