142 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



dently of each other, they were led to the conclusion 

 that the disease is due to the organism, Nosema apis. 



SYMPTOMS AND REMEDY 



Dr. Zander describes the life-history of the germ as 

 follows : — " Nosema apis is a parasite which lives in 

 the middle portion of the bees' intestines, devouring 

 and destroying the tissues. If a spore finds its way 

 into the bees' intestines, its shell bursts and the little 

 animal parasite comes forth. It fastens itself to the 

 wall of the intestine, living thereon, and multiplying 

 with astonishing rapidity, entirely consuming and 

 destroying said wall. In four days its work is accom- 

 plished, and it again enters into the spore state." 



Bees attacked fall to the ground near the hive in large 

 numbers and quickly die ; the surrounding ground may 

 be thickly covered with dying bees. The queen soon 

 becomes infected, when the ultimate fate of the infected 

 colony is complete destruction. Fortunately the disease 

 may be further diagnosed as follows : — " A healthy 

 bee's intestine is semi-transparent and flesh-coloured; 

 that of a diseased bee becomes and remains milky-white 

 and opaque. The discolouration or change is a sure 

 sign of the disease, and may be observed without the 

 assistance of a microscope." 



Dr. Zander lays special stress upon the following 

 measures to counteract the spread of this disease : — 



(i) "Colonies only slightly < affected may recover if 

 the queen remains healthy, and a good natural result 

 takes place. (2) The combs contaminated by the excreta 

 of the affected bees are the main cause of the spread of 

 the disease. It is recommended to transfer infected 

 colonies into clean hives fitted with comb foundation. 

 When opportunity occurs, give a sound, healthy queen 

 in place of the old one, as the queens of infected colonies 

 die the following winter. The renewal of the combs 

 forms the basis for successfully combating all bee 

 diseases. The infected hives must be thoroughly 

 cleansed with a solution of soda in hot water," 



