Brood Diseases

Brood Diseases

It is important to be able to see the brood in order to inspect it properly. Either move the bees by brushing gently with your hand or a goose wing or shake them off the comb.

Normal, healthy sealed brood has even, domed, biscuit coloured cappings with few holes in the pattern; healthy open brood has pearly white C shaped larvae with clearly identifiable segmentation.

Sunken, concave or discoloured cappings are a sign of American Foul Brood disease.

Small perforations in cappings can be a sign of American Foul Brood disease. They can also indicate other diseases such as Sacbrood (a viral infection) or Chalk Brood (a fungal infection).

Larvae which are uncapped, discoloured (yellowish brown), and are lying in abnormal positions can be a symptom of European Foul Brood but may also result from Sacbrood or varroa infestation.

Both European and American Foul Brood diseases are notifiable. This means that you must not move anything from the site. You should restrict the hive entrance to reduce the risk of robbing, clean your hive tool etc and bee clothing and then immediately notify your Appointed Bee Inspector.

Uncapped larvae which, although pearly white appear to be lying in line with the cell and have a pointed appearance can be a symptom of early stages of either Chalk Brood or Sacbrood.

Hard white, black or greyish pellets in cells are an indication of chalk brood.

Uncapped cells with normal developing pupae exposed is a symptom of bald brood. This condition results from bees uncapping cells in which they apparently sense something is amiss; often the cause is wax moth larvae tunnelling under the cappings. This can sometimes show as a whitish line under the cappings.