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Manchester and District Beekeepers’ Association |
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Phone: 0161-747 7292 To contact us: Email: |
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ABOUT MDBKA / QUEEN / WORKER&DRONE / SWARMING / THE SUPER / THE HIVE / BROOD CHAMBER / PESTS & DISEASE / VARROA / AFB / EFB / SHB / CHALKBROOD / ACARINE/ HIVE PRODUCTS / WAX / BOOKS / STINGS / CONTACTS / APRIL NEWS / TUITION / SWARM COLLECTION SERVICE/ NEWSLETTER/ WAX /
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M.& D.B.K.A. |
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A.F.B. (American Foul Brood) This is caused by the spore forming bacteria Bacillus larvae. If a larva ingests AFB spores then the spores germinate inside the larva and it dies of septicaemia but only after it’s cell is sealed. The whole larval form disintegrates, melts down and becomes a sticky mass eventually drying to a hard scale in the bottom of the cell. It is important to note that the larvae appear to be perfectly healthy prior to the sealing of the cell. If this disease is found D.E.F.R.A. must be informed and under their guidance the colony will be destroyed. The signs of the disease are: 1. The brood combs have a pepper pot appearance i.e. with empty cells in the middle of sealed brood. 2. After the larva dies the cell capping forms a domed shape. 3. As the larva disintegrates the cappings sink, becoming concave. 4. Holes appear in the cappings. 5. A matchstick pushed through a sunken capping and twisted will cause a 2-3cm string when removed. 6. If the larva has dried out an angled scale will be seen in the bottom of the cell. |
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PESTS AND DISEASES Cont. |
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Fig.19 After the larva dies the cell cappings sink and take on a greasy appearance |
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Fig.20 The Ropiness Test A sticky thread can be drawn out with a match |
