Early stage of an AFB?

[Bosanac96]

Hi comrades,

Is this on pictures, early phase of an american foulbrood??? Smells like cheap chocolate with scent of chinese plastic (weird to me too, but the smell is mix those scents). Stretches only 3-5 mm. The gui mass in cells is more on the liquid side. I found only two cells on different frames.

//imgur.com/a/YxgqA80

 

[Murox]

Image link does not work.

 

[eltalia]

Hi comrades,

Is this on pictures, early phase of an american foulbrood??? Smells like cheap chocolate with scent
of chinese plastic (weird to me too, but the smell is mix those scents). Stretches only 3-5 mm.
The gui mass in cells is more on the liquid side. I found only two cells on different frames.

https://imgur.com/a/YxgqA80

I'd agree the cell circled is a deadun buuuut much wider high resolution landscape
images are going to prove more definitive. We (royal) need to see some aged sunken
caps in pattern, with a sprinkle of perforation happening - assuming this is a colony
of numbers with proven hygiene qualities.
You cannot go past the matchstick test with long strings most indicitive.
At this point I'd err on a negative as the (AFB) odour is distinctive in being replusive
- not even "cheap chocolate" would come close.

/waits pix/

Bill

 

[Finman]

.
Dificult to see, what is in pictures.

However, first hint about AFB is a small hole in the pupa capp. Then inside you find coffee brown slime.

After a week you will find these holes hundreds.

Later the slime will dry upp, and it makes a brown curved chip onto bottom of the cell.
In the new combs you may find easily those brown color things, but in the old black combs it is difficut.

 

[eltalia]

.Dificult to see, what is in pictures.
However, first hint about AFB is a small hole in the pupa capp.
Then inside you find coffee brown slime.
[...]

Finny, for beginners there are onsite test kits available.
A 'cheap' - really - alternative where the many 'Net
pages on the topic fail in describing symptons for the
new player.

https://www.vita-europe.com/beehealth/products/afb-diagnostic-test-kit/

Bill

 

[mazzamazda]

I'd say it was AFB as long as you havent mixed up the contents of the cell. It is usually darker however. No need for test kits or string tests, open up the perforated cell and look inside. Is it a dead bee, if so you are fine, if it is slime it is AFB.

AFB doesnt always smell.

 

[eltalia]

(edit)
AFB doesnt always smell.

An old article used as I cannot find the update - that may have well
been published in hard copy through our national association's magazine.
The trial was a success and the dog now employed in Victoria, with other
dogs since trained and in use. The beesuit idea was dropped as impractical.

Point being it has long been held AFB owns it's own distinctive smell.

Bill

--
https://www.k9centre.com/bee-dog-can-detect-american-foulbrood/

 

[mazzamazda]

Point being it has long been held AFB owns it's own distinctive smell.

I believe there is a new strain, I had someone round a few months ago with a frame for me to diagnose, worst case of AFB I have ever seen, didnt smell at all.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've seen AFB before which doesn't smell

 

[Bosanac96]

Update:

I was today looking at them, and my conclusion is that it is an afb, 99% sure. I uncaped some cells, and found serval cells with coffe brown slime inside. Now i will try to inform the beekeeping asociation in my city and see what they will do. We are not obligated by law to report any kind of bee diesese in our county.
What is with my tools, do i need to throw them, can i desinfect them with something?

 

[Finman]

.
Your officials will tell what you should do.

 

[eltalia]

Update:

I was today looking at them, and my conclusion is that it is an afb, 99% sure. I uncaped some cells, and found serval cells with coffe brown slime inside. Now i will try to inform the beekeeping asociation in my city and see what they will do. We are not obligated by law to report any kind of bee diesese in our county.
What is with my tools, do i need to throw them, can i desinfect them with something?

When you do not know the requirement of handling such a highly
contagious disease it is best you have an expert examination done,
quickly.
Lock the hive down after dusk and contact and contact your Association.

Bill

 

[mazzamazda]

Update:

I was today looking at them, and my conclusion is that it is an afb, 99% sure. I uncaped some cells, and found serval cells with coffe brown slime inside. Now i will try to inform the beekeeping asociation in my city and see what they will do. We are not obligated by law to report any kind of bee diesese in our county.
What is with my tools, do i need to throw them, can i desinfect them with something?

Yes slime and its AFB. I would close the hive, wash your clothing, disinfect tools with 90% alcohol or higher. If you dont get help give me a shout and I can help you with the rest. I took very good advice from Finman a few years ago. I still get the odd infection.

It actually isnt that infectious, normal apiary hygene and it rarely spreads in my experience.

Well done in catching it early, it makes all the difference in control

 

[eltalia]

Likely pointless for the desktop Xspert, the PDF linked to may assist others.
There exist any number of such advices, this phamplet is hopefully in local
(EU) lingo and so no excuse for n0t "getting it".
https://www.google.com.au/url?q=htt...pCvgQFggPMAI&usg=AOvVaw35KZhYyn9qKJgAXRl5GicQ

Some infected larvae may die after their cells are sealed.
In such cases, there may be sunken perforated cappings
resembling AFB infection. However, although brown and
sticky, the cells’ contents cannot be drawn into a ‘rope’
as with AFB (Fig 24).

Where the matchstick test fails get a sample lab tested.

Bill