Chalkbrood disease

Photo by Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), Crown Copyright

A fungus which is ingested by bee larvae causing death by starvation
Symptoms include scattered brood with perforated cappings
The larva dies after the cell is capped and becomes covered by the white-grey fungus, causing the diagnostic ‘mummies’
Incidence is usually greater when the colony is under stress due to cool weather or poor nutrition
Present throughout Australia, but not confirmed in NT

Scientific name: Ascosphaera apis
EPPRD Category:
Life Form: Fungus