JO Jan., 1910.] Bee Mortality in tlie StaiceJl District. 63 



The different stages of de\-'elopment of Noscina apis are very simple, 

 but it must be mentioned that this parasite, like the rest of the group to 

 which it belongs, will only thrive in living tissue and not outside the living 

 bodv of the bee. After it has exhausted the intestinal cells of the bee, it 

 becomes surrounded with a skin, which protects it from desiccation and 

 enables it to remain alive for a long time outside the body of the bee. 

 These resistant forms termed spores are seen in large numbers either 

 singly or in groups, when the intestinal contents of a bee which has suc- 

 cumbed to the disease are obsen-ed under the microscope. 



The cells of Xosema apis are of oval shape, strongly refractive and 

 measure about .,-io mm. in length and ^^^^ mm. in breadth. While 

 the intestinal contents of healthv bees are reddish and transparent, they 

 become turbid and milkv when the Xosema infection is well advanced. 

 This turbid and milky colouration of the intestinal contents of bees, which 

 have succumbed to the disease, is an indication for diagnosing the disease 

 even without the help of a microscope. The infection is spread to other 

 healthv bees bv the excreta of diseased bees coming in contact with the 

 food. 



This parasite is stated bv Dr. Zander to be the worst enemy bee-keepers 

 have to contend with, as many thousands of swarms are destroyed by it 

 annually in Europe. The loss caused bv it is much larger than that caused 

 bv foul-brood. From hives infected bv Xosema apis bees mav be seen 

 to fall to the ground from the opening of the hive in large numbers ; they 

 are unable to rise from the ground again and soon die. According to the 

 degree of infection thev die either graduallv or suddenly in an epidemic 

 manner ; the ground before the hives may be frequently seen thickly covered 

 with dying bees. The ultimate fa,te of swarms thus infected is complete 

 destruction, as the queen also becomes infected and perishes. 



An epidemic, which presented similar svmptoms to those above de- 

 scribed, has recentlv caused tremendous losses amongst the bee-keepers on 

 the Isle of Wight and also in- Brazil. In the diseased bees of the Isle 

 of Wight, Dr. Maldent discovered a bacillus which he named Pestiformis 

 apis, but has so far not succeeded in proving that the bacillus is the cause 

 of the epidemic. 



Dr. Zander laid special stress upon the following measures intended 

 to counteract the spread of the disease caused by Nosema apis. 



1. Swarms which are only slightlv infected may recover if the queen 

 remains health\- and a good natural increase takes place. 



2. The combs contaminated by the excreta of the infected bees are 

 the main cause of the spread of the disease. It is recommended to transfer 

 swarms infected with malignant d\ senterv into clean hives and start them 

 on artificial combs. Anv brood combs are placed in such a manner that 

 they can be easih- remo\ed after the voung brood has left them. When 

 opportunity offers, a, new queen is substituted, as the queens of these 

 infected swarms frequentlv die in the following winter. As these hives 

 usually swarm verv late, it is best to prevent swarming. 



3. The infected hives must be thoroughh cleaned with a solution of 

 ■carbonate of soda in hot water. The combs should be removed and the 



bees given every opportunitv for building new combs. 



4. The renewal of the combs forms the basis for successfully combating 

 all diseases of bees. 



An organism resembling in all respects the above described Nosema apis 

 "has been found by one of us, acting under the direction of the Common- 



t British Bee Journal, March 18, page 101. 



