Bee-Blog

Bee diseases – Part 2 -Bacterial: European Foulbrood

Nov 21, 2016 | Bee News

This brood disease is caused by the non-spore forming bacterium Melissococcus pluton.  It affects open brood and is common during spring when brood rearing is at its height.  Colonies may be severely weakened.  EFB is considered a less serious disease than AFB but high losses have been recorded.  Infected larvae appear coiled/ twisted in their cells with a brownish colour and normally die when they are 4-5 days old.  Sometimes one can detect a sour odour.

 

EFB

Color change is noticable in colony with EFB