Apiary Inspection:
Click HERE or on the logo for the 10th May report.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side today, preventing a full colony inspection. Instead, we performed a brief ‘pop-and-check’ on two hives. This gave us a great opportunity to discuss brood health, specifically identifying the C-shaped white larvae.
We also reviewed the four notifiable diseases and pests that beekeepers are legally required to report to the National Bee Unit (NBU):
American Foulbrood (AFB)
European Foulbrood (EFB)
Small Hive Beetle
Tropilaelaps mites.
1. American Foulbrood (AFB)
AFB targets sealed brood. Because the larvae die after the cell is capped, the symptoms are found on the wax cappings rather than the open larvae.
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The Cappings: Look for cappings that are sunken, greasy, or darkened. You may also see small, irregular perforations (holes) where the bees have tried to investigate the dead larvae.
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The “Ropiness” Test: If you suspect AFB, poke a matchstick into a suspicious cell. If you pull it out and a brown, mucus-like thread stretches out (usually 2cm or longer), it is likely AFB.
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The Scale: Once the larvae dry out, they form a hard, black scale on the bottom of the cell that is almost impossible to remove.
2. European Foulbrood (EFB)
EFB typically targets unsealed brood. The larvae usually die before the cell is capped.
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The Appearance: Healthy larvae are pearly white and C-shaped. EFB-infected larvae look “melted” or deflated.
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Positioning: Instead of being neatly curled at the bottom of the cell, they often appear twisted or slumped in unnatural positions against the cell walls.
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The Color: They turn from white to a sickly yellow or light brown.
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The Smell: In advanced cases, there may be a sour or “stale” smell, though this isn’t always present.
3. Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida)
This is an exotic pest. We are looking for the beetles themselves and the destruction their larvae cause.
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The Beetles: Reddish-brown to black, about 5–7mm long. They are fast and will “scurry” away from the light when you first remove the hive roof or crown board.
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The Slime: The beetle larvae tunnel through combs, eating brood and honey. As they do, they defecate, causing the honey to ferment and “bleed” out of the cells. The hive will have a distinct smell of decaying oranges.
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The Larvae: Unlike wax moth larvae, beetle larvae have three pairs of legs near the head and spines along their backs.
4. Tropilaelaps Mites
These are tiny, reddish-brown parasitic mites. While they look a bit like Varroa, they are much narrower and faster.
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The Mites: They are about half the size of Varroa and move very quickly across the comb. They cannot survive long without brood, so you will see them mainly on the frames.
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Brood Pattern: Look for a “pepper-box” (irregular) brood pattern.
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Bee Deformities: Similar to Varroa, you may see bees with stunted abdomens, deformed wings, or missing legs.
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The “Walking” Test: Because Tropilaelaps cannot cling to adult bees well, you might see them running rapidly across the face of the comb when you lift a frame.
Important Note: If you suspect any of these four, you have a legal obligation to stop what you are doing, close the hive, and contact your local Regional or Seasonal Bee Inspector immediately. Do not move any equipment or bees from the site until they have visited.
