Part I.] STATE INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. 135 



The legs, in what appears to be advanced symptoms, may 

 be paralyzed, resulting in the loss of use of one or more pairs. 

 Such bees have been observed on their backs "kicking," as it 

 would seem, in an effort to right themselves. 



There is a tendency for the stricken individuals to crawl 

 from the hive, although they are noticeable often on combs 

 removed from affected hives, particularly near the top or on 

 the top of the frames. In crawling from the hive the more 

 vigorous ones appear to be anxious to go to the field, if not 

 aerially, over land, and have been found a hundred feet or 

 more headed away from the hive. Some observers claim that 

 these sick bees finally turn and return toward or into the hive. 

 This could easily disseminate the malady; in fact, it is be- 

 lieved in England, as the Isle of Wight disease is understood, 

 to progress with prevailing winds and by "drifting" of the 

 bees. Not all individuals return to a colony, however, for a 

 very noticeable symptom among the stricken bees is their 

 "bunching" in the grass, on the hives and alighting boards. 

 These bunches of bees appear to be tired of existence and prob- 

 ably soon perish, although some believe they may revive. 



The mortality is not confined to the immediate vicinity of 

 the colonies in the apiary. Stricken bees have been observed 

 about the neighborhood of the apiary, "creeping" in the grass 

 along paths, in clover lawns, dying or dead on flowers, and in 

 some instances even bunched alongside a walk. This obser- 

 vation has been made in England, confirmed in Amherst by 

 Mr. Bocock and others, and reported from other States. 



It should not be concluded that this adult mortality is iden- 

 tical with the Isle of Wight disease of England, yet the symp- 

 toms herein mentioned are approximately the same as those 

 outlined in the British Leaflet on "Microsporidiosis."^ 



A description of the widespread prevalence of an adult mor- 

 tality over the United States and probably Canada cannot be 

 undertaken here. The writer has, however, observed the dis- 

 order in varying degrees of intensity in several localities of 

 Massachusetts. It has been reported by the deputies, and 

 from some of the largest apiaries in eastern and central New 



1 Microsporidiosis of Beea, or Isle of Wight Bee Disease. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 

 Leaflet No. 253. 



