Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators and Diseases

Virus infected larvae

Affected larvae die in the late larval or prepupal stage, stretched out in their cells with their heads raised. In the early stage of infection they are white but dull rather than glistening and look deflated. Later the larva may have gray or brownish spots. Prepupa die after the cell has been capped and the cappings may be perforated or the cells may be uncapped completely by the bees. When the larval remains are stirred with a toothpick or small twig, they do not rope out but are globular (similar to European Foulbrood).