beekeeping for connecticut. 44 1 



Diseases -of Bees. 



Bees, like all other living things, are subject to diseases, the 

 most common of which in Conjiecticutiare the contagious bacterial 

 brood diseases known as American and European foul brood. 

 The latter is by far the most prevalent, having been found in every 

 cotuity and in some cases wiping out whole apiaries. These dis- 

 eases, however, if taken in time, can be; controlled, but if neglected 

 are sure to cause loss and be a source of infection to surrounding 

 apiaries. For this reason it is imperative that beekeepers should 

 become acquainted with the appearance of these diseases and the 

 methods of treatment so as to handle them intelligently. European 

 foul brood, although much more contagious and rapid in spreading, 

 responds better to treatment than the American foul brood. 

 Dr. Phillips of the Bureau of Entomology at Washington describes 

 the two diseases as follows : 



"The presence of a particular disease in a colony of bees can be ascer- 

 tained most reliably by a bacteriological examination, since tHe symptoms 

 are somewhat variable. It is possible, however, to describe the usual 

 manifestations of the diseases, and the usual differences, so that the bee- 

 keeper can in most cases tell which disease is present. 



American Foul Brood. 



"Am?ricah foul brood is frequently called simply 'foul brood.' It 

 usually shows itself in the larva just about the time that the larva fills the 

 cell and after it has ceased feeding and has begun pupation. At this time 

 it is sealed over in the comb. The first indication of the infection is a 

 slight brownish discoloration and the loss of the well-rounded appearance 

 of the normal larva. At this stage the disease is not usually recognized by 

 the beekeeper. The larva gradually sinks down in the cell and becomes 

 darker in color and the posterior end lies ,against the bottom of the cell. 

 Frequently the segmentation of the larva is clearly marked. By the time 

 it has partially dried down and has become quite dark brown (coffee 

 colored) the most typical characteristic* of this disease manifests itself. 

 If a match stick or toothpick is inserted into the decayiiig rriass and with- 

 drawn the larval remains adhere to it' and are drawn out in a thread which 

 sometimes extends for several inches before breaking. This ropiness is 

 the chief characteristic used by the beekeeper in diagnosing this disease. 

 The larva continues to dry down and gradually loses its ropiness until it 

 finally becomes merely a scale on the lower side wall and base of the cell. 

 The scale formed by the dried-down larva adheres tightly to the cell and 

 can be removed with difficulty from the cell wall. The scales can best be 

 observed when the copib is held with the top inclined toward the observer 

 so that a bright light strikes the lower side wall. A very characteristic 



