The fate and effect of hairs removed from honeybees with hairless-black syndrome

Abstract

Honeybees, Apis mellifera, attacking other bees exhibiting hairless-black syndrome were found to have ingested bee hairs probably as a result of the attack. Experimental samples of bees were fed bee hairs and virus isolated from sick bees both separately and in combination. Control samples, samples fed hair, samples fed virus, and samples fed both hairs and virus averaged 8, 7, 37, and 70% mortality, respectively. Presence of hairs enhanced the effect of the virus. © 1975.