88 



Bte-h'eepiiif/ in Victoria. 



The presence of the Nosewa apis parasite in Australia was first dis- 

 covered in October, 1909, and made public in the Joiintal of Agricul- 

 ture, Jannary, 1910. : It was then generally assumed that the heavy 

 losses of bees occurring at intervals in certain districts of Victoria 

 and some other States were caused by Nosema apis. 



Since then the microscopical examination of bees from all over 

 Victoria, the adjoining States, and Tasmania have shown that Nosema 





.y 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. 







Fig. 3. 



-----CM 



Fig. 4 



[Ilhistrations reproduc-ed from Eandhuch der Biene^ Vol. II., bj' Prof. 

 Dr. Enoch Zander: — Figs. 1, 2, Nosema spores, (a) single spores, (fc) intestinal 

 eells filled with spores X 400. Fig. 3, Nosema spores (Australian) (P.), 

 Eucalyptus pollen X 400. Fig. 4, Nosema spores X 1,000.] 



ains is present in almost every apiary, and eciually numerous in the 

 intestines of bees from localities where no losses have ever occurred 

 Out of 84 lots of 20 bees, each obtained from different apiaries, and 

 examined by Mr. W. Laidlaw, B.Sc, Biologist, Department of Agricul- 

 ture, only two apiaries were proved free from the parasite in the 20 

 bees examined. If, therefore, Nosema apis is a factor in what is known 



