Bald Brood

 

Cause

This is not a disease but is believed to be due to

  1. Greater wax moth larvae chewing through brood cappings in a straight line
  2. A genetic trait in some strains of bee where small patches of brood are left uncapped

 

Signs in the colony

Text Box: Bald BroodIf due to wax moth where the larva chews through the cappings, usually in a straight line, the bees remove the silk tunnels and leave the larvae bare. They do not re-cap the cells. The removal of the cappings is not always complete and may leave a slightly raised ridge at the edge.

If due to the genetic trait small patches of bald brood are produced.

 

Treatment

There is no treatment for bald brood.

If it has a genetic cause adults emerge normal.

If it is due to wax moth damage bees may be deformed or crippled due to contamination by the moth larva’s faecal pellets.

Image © CSL