Bee Diseases and Enemies 399 
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 
tooth-pick is inserted 
into the decaying mass 
and withdrawn, the 
larval remains adhere to 
it and are drawn out 
in a thread (Fig. 164), 
which sometimes ex¬ 
tends for several inches before breaking. This ropi¬ 
ness is the chief characteristic used by the beekeeper in di¬ 
agnosing this disease. The larva continues to dry down 
Fig. 164. — The ropiness of American 
foul brood. 
Fig. 1G5. — American foul brood comb, showing irregular patches of sunken 
cappings and scales. The position of the comb indicates the best way 
to view the scales. 
and gradually loses its ropiness until it finally becomes merely 
a scale on the lower side wall and base of the cell (Fig. 163, e, 
p, s). The scale formed by the dried-down larva adheres 
tightly to the cell and can be removed with difficulty from 
