DISEASES OF BEES in 



In the fine summer of 191 1 there seemed to 

 be some check put on the disease, but even now 

 no certain means have been discovered of curing 

 it. It is believed to be caused by a protozoal 

 parasite which inhabits the digestive tract of 

 bees and is transmitted by means of the food 

 supply, which, being carried away by bees, 

 becomes a medium for its spread. 



The check put on the disease in 191 1 shows 

 that sunshine is beneficial to bees, and it is my 

 own view that hives should always stand where 

 they get the maximum. There is no germicide 

 like sunlight, and, combined with a proper cleans- 

 ing of hives every year, if it were universally 

 practised, most of these troubles would cease. 



There is a larger parasite attached to bees 

 known as the blind louse, or scientifically, Braula 

 cceca. It is somewhat smaller than the plant lice, 

 and is reddish- brown in colour. The eggs of 

 this creature hatch inside its parent, where the 

 larva lives until it has attained its full growth, 

 when it drops to the floor and becomes a pupa. 

 On emerging as a perfect insect, it attaches itself 

 to the body of a passing bee, ready for another 

 cycle of transformations. The queen bee, owing 

 to her long life, is often thoroughly infested with 

 these things, but they do not appear to do much 

 harm, although, as their nourishment must be at 

 the expense of the insect, no doubt they would 

 be better without them. 



