Bacterial diseases

Apis mellifera

AFB and EFB are known diseases of what species

Melissococcus plutonius

etiologic agent of EFB. gram-positive, microaerophilic, and lanceolate bacterium

enzootic state

a state where M. plutonius can be present in hives that show no signs of disease

crop pollination

colonies especially susceptible to EFB infection

larval midgut

multiplication of M. plutonius has been to occur where

Paenibacillus larvae

causative agent of AFB. gram positive, facultative anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium

spores

what is capable of causing disease in P. larvae

Aethina tumida

can act as a vector of P. larvae

movement of equipment

most significant transmission route of AFB

throughout the active beekeeping season

AFB occurence

late spring and early summer

EFB occurence

scattered or shotgun appearance

often the first sign of bacterial infection

pupal tongue

often left by brood that die at the pupation stage of AFB

hard and stuck to cell wall

definition of scale in AFB infection

malleable and are not adhesive

definition of scale in EFB infection

foul or sour odor

odor of EFB

rotting meat or dead fish

odor of AFB

yellow-colored larvae and corkscrew position

uniqur EFB signs

pupal tongue and caramel color

unique AFB signs

atypical EFB

The presentation of melted larvae, sunken cappings, and scales (which resembles AFB) is sometimes called

matchstick test

Macerate the suspected brood with a matchstick or twig (or any small object with a rough surface). Carefully withdraw the stick from the cell, trying to draw out the diseased brood.

EFB: goopy ; AFB; ropy thread 

results of matchstick test

holst milk test

It tests the ability of a larval sample to break down milk proteins.

cloudiness removed from milk

positive result of holst milk test

burning

considered the best practice in handling AFB

shook swarm method

process involves shaking the bees onto new equipment to remove infectious material from the hive