Foulbrood Introduction

Foulbrood Introduction#

1 . Describe a normal, healthy brood pattern.

  • Solid, compact brood pattern.

  • ≥90% of cells in the brood area contain eggs, larvae, or pupae.

  • Brood of similar age grouped together, reflecting consistent egg-laying by a healthy queen.

2 . Why are there sometimes different colors of brood cappings on the same frame?

  • Lighter cappings indicate newer wax.

  • Darker cappings are older and have accumulated debris, pollen oils, and propolis over time.

3 . What is the appearance of a normal cell containing larvae?

  • Larvae are bright white and glistening.

  • Larvae show movement (visible with magnification).

  • Adequate food (royal jelly) is present in the cell.

4 . What is the appearance of normal, healthy capped pupal cells?

  • Uniform light brown cappings.

  • Six-sided cells.

  • Caps slightly convex (elevated).

  • Pupae do not move.

5 . Can normal capped pupae have a small hole in the capping?

Yes, healthy brood may show a small, smooth, centered pinhole due to normal capping behavior. Pathological holes are often irregular, jagged, off-center, or multiple.

6 . Are symptoms and appearance of adult bees specific to a particular disease?

No, symptoms such as inability to fly, disjointed wings, or dysentery are non-specific.

Disease symptoms may be mimicked by:

  • Queen failure

  • Laying workers

  • Parasitic infestations

  • Pesticide exposure

  • Poisonous plants

  • Brood starvation or chilling

7 . Why are American and European Foulbrood called “foulbrood”?

  • Because infected colonies often emit a foul odor.

  • AFB: smells like rotten eggs or decay.

  • EFB: sour or fermented odor.

8 . What if your hive smells like old sneakers?

  • Likely goldenrod nectar in the fall, not foulbrood

9 . Is American Foulbrood present on every continent?

  • Yes, but not in every country

10 . Why were apiary inspections initiated?

  • To diagnose, control, and prevent the spread of AFB American Foulbrood (AFB).