I9ii.] 



Isle of Wight Bee Disease. 



Hi 



watch their bees, and on the appearance of the symptoms 

 described below proceed to — 



(1) Destroy the diseased colonies, and all combs, stores, 

 and quilts. 



(2) Paint the hive and all woodwork twice at intervals 



of 24 hours with a solution of 1 part strong carbolic 

 acid and 2 parts hot water, and then expose the 

 inside of the hive to light and air for several days. 

 Alternatively the surface of the woodwork may be 

 burnt by means of a painter's spirit lamp. 



(3) Collect and burn the dead bees found on the ground. 



The ground should then be sprayed with some 

 strong disinfectant, such as 8 oz. carbolic acid to 

 a gallon of water; or it may be covered with 

 quicklime. 



Symptoms. 



1. The first symptom usually noticed is a disinclination 

 of the bees to work. They fly about aimlessly and do not 

 gather stores. 



2. A little later they lose their power of flight, and are 

 unable to travel more than a few yards without alighting. 



3. As the disease progresses the bees are only able to fly 

 a few feet, when they drop and crawl about the ground. 

 They may be seen crawling up grass stems or other upright 

 objects such as the supports of the hive, but they soon fall 

 down and die. Towards night some may be seen gathered 

 in groups, but these usually die before morning. 



4. The abdomen or hinder part of the body is often swollen, 

 and the extreme segments or rings droop and are bent 

 underneath the rest of the body. 



5. The wings often appear to be disconnected, the upper 

 wings lying flat above the body, while the lower wings stand 

 out from the body as in flight. Sometimes the legs seem 

 affected, and the bees stagger along in their attempts to walk. 



6. Finally the whole colony of workers is found massed 

 together in front of the hive or on the ground, except a few 

 which are found crowded round the queen. 



7. The foragers are always the first affected. The queen 

 and the brood are not attacked, though "chilled brood" 

 often appears subsequently, owing to there being insufficient 

 bees to keep the hive warm. 



