Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: Yarra_Valley on August 24, 2007, 08:53:51 pm

Title: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Yarra_Valley on August 24, 2007, 08:53:51 pm

Hi there,

I'm have a little bit of a problem with one of my hives, so I'm going to go through the apiary with a fine tooth comb this weekend. I was wondering what you guys find the easiest way to diagnose these three pests. I've done my research, and come up with the Following:

EFB

• Pepperbox pattern
• Usually die before being capped
• Discoloured larvae, off white. show yellow streaks first, then turn completely yellow
• Often twisted and deformed in cell
• Melted remains in the bottom of cell
• Will not "rope out" easily

AFB

• Pepperbox pattern
• Usually die once capped or in the late larval stage
• Cappings become darker and sunken, in appearance
• "Ropes out" easily
• Dead pupae lying on back at bottom of cell, with tongue pointing towards top of cell, if often the case
• Hard black scale in back of cell, often shiny. hard to remove, queen won't lay in again
• Maybe some perforated cappings

Sacbrood.
May appear similar to AFB, however:

• Remains won't rope out as easily
• Dead scale is easily removed
• Tongue won't be pointing towards top of cell
• Greater percentage of perforated cells amongst infected cells
• Upon close inspection, hardening and discoloration of the cutiles near the head can be seen, once capping remoced
• Usually occurs early in season

If you can think of anything else, or can see any inaccuracies, please feel free to help me out.

Thanks,
James.

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: TwT on August 25, 2007, 01:51:04 am

heres all with pictures

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/pppdIndex.html

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: buzzbee on August 25, 2007, 07:52:26 am

AFB  infects hive with spores that don't go away.
EFB is a treatable bacteria.

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Michael Bush on August 25, 2007, 03:05:11 pm

Sacbrood are usually inact in a sac, not melted in the bottom.

The other issue is Parafoulbrood which sort of resembles both EFB and AFB.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#efb

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Yarra_Valley on September 14, 2007, 01:31:20 pm

Well, I lab results back today, and........

its AFB.

yeah, that sucks. And just to make it worse, I have to organise the destruction of my hive from overseas.

 

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Cindi on September 25, 2007, 11:16:32 am

Yarra_Valley.  That sucks, please let us know how you will fare.  Sorry to hear about the brood disease in your colony.  Have a wonderful day, best of this life.  Cindi

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Yarra_Valley on October 16, 2007, 02:35:27 am

Hi there Cindy, thanks for the condolences. My brother was able to take care of it promptly which was a relief. It nice when someone does something like that for you when you're overseas. It hasn't been found in any of the other colonies which is a blessing.

Title: Re: Most obvious differences between AFB, EFB and sacbrood
Post by: Cindi on October 16, 2007, 09:23:48 pm

Yarra_Valley.  Right, I read the post about your brother doing the work, without even having had experience with the bees!!!  Yeah!!!  Good for him, and I am happy that not all were affected, wonderful and beautiful day in our great life.  Cindi