CHALKBROOD DISEASE OF HONEY BEES, APIS MELLIFERA L.: A PROGRESS REPORT

Abstract

Under a variety of conditions affecting both the pathogen and the host colonies, many attempts were made to infect brood in apiary colonies with Ascosphaera apis. However, variation in susceptibility of bee colonies appeared to be an important factor in the expression of chalkbrood disease. Thus, we devised techniques for harvesting, sterilizing, maintaining, and inoculating large numbers of eggs, larvae, and pupae in an incubator. Mummies were produced from larvae and prepupae, but eggs and pupae did not support the growth of A. apis. Infection occured both through ingestion of A. apis and by the growth of the fungus through the cuticle. Ascosphaera apis grew on dead larvae killed with dry ice but did not mummify them.