American foulbrood

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

Fatal brood disease caused by a bacterium that is ingested by young bee larvae
Spores germinate in the bee’s gut and the developing bee usually dies at the pre-pupal or pupal stage
Symptoms include irregular brood patterns, sunken and discoloured cell cappings with perforations
Decaying infected larvae may be roped to a distance of 2-3 cm
The bacterium is very infectious and remains dormant for over 50 years
Present throughout Australia, but not confirmed in NT or Kangaroo Island

Scientific name: Paenibacillus larvae
EPPRD Category:
Life Form: Bacteria