European foulbrood. Colony collapse disorders Flashcards
latin for EFB
putrificatio polybacteritica lavarum
where is it found
all continents where apis mellifera are kept
also indian apis cerena
where has it never occurred
new zealand
is it notifiable
yes to OIE
Pathogen
melissococcus - bacillus streptococcus plutonius
characteristics of the bacteria
non spore
gram positive
occurs singly or in pairs
needs co2 for growth
survival
up to several years in cells
virulence
less virulent than american
types of strains
typical and atypical
who carries the bacteria
adult bees
what can also spread the pathogen
varroae mites
infected wax
honey
equipment
swarms can spread it between areas
3 secondary invaders
achromabacter eurydice
enterococcus faecalis - sour smell
paenibacillus alvei - foul odour
roles of the secondary bacteria
unclear
pathogenesis in larvae
susceptible at any stage of their unscaled life
when are larvae killed
4-5 day old larvae killed before they are capped
infected larvae that survive produce what
subnormal weight and spin feeble cocoons
major symptoms
often none
shape of infected larvae
curled upwards in the uncapped cell and then they die
dead larvae morphology
flaccid
brownish greyish black
death of larvae after the cell is sealed
resulting in sunken capping resembling AFB
when is EFB more problematic
where forage nectar is sporadic or fewer nerse bees in colonies to feed larvae
outbreak during brood rearing suddenly increases when?
when severly infected larvae have insufficient glandular food - royal jelly
prevalence
more common in small weak colonies because they grow quicker
main characteristics of EFB
sour or no smell
black brown rubbery scale
before capped
twist
dull
characteristics of AFB
sulfur or chicken house smell
brown black brittle
after capped
chocolate brown black
diagnosis
smell
colour
larvae - twisted and uncapped and become a brown semi liquid mass
ropiness tests
differentiates between EFB and AFB
Lab diagnostics
isolation of pathogen from larvae or pupae
what happens if M plutonius acts alone
infected larvae detected and ejected by nurse bees
therapy if weak
stimulate hygiene behaviour of bees - by placing near good foraging site or feeding with honey/sugar water
therapy if strong
remove infected brood combs to prevent spread
treatment of both AFB AND EFB
no treatment
what is colony collapse disorder
abnormal phenomenon
majority of workers disappear in colony, leaving behind queen, stored food and immature bees
