Kalkbrut

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Limestone brood mummies at the exit of a beehive

The limestone brood ( Ascosphaerose , Ascosphaerosis larvae apium ) is a disease of the western honey bee . It is caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis .

The infection occurs via fungal spores in the feed. The larvae die after the lidding of the cell in the expanded stage , and are formed fruiting bodies that contain fungal spores. The disease can be recognized by the fact that the capped cells, which contain the so-called calcareous brood mummies, rattle when the brood combs are shaken. This brood disease occurs particularly in weak colonies and is favored by cool and damp weather.

Kalkbrut is a factor disease. Since the pathogen Ascosphaera apis is naturally present in the environment, the factors leading to the disease must be eliminated. The following factors favor limestone spawn: a damp, cold location, the bees' weak instinct to cleanse. The following control measures can be taken: Change location or move around, with simultaneous removal of the infected combs.

literature

  • Gerhard Liebig : Simply beekeeping: a guide to keeping bees . Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 978-3-9803568-6-2 , page 132.
  • Peter Claussen: Research into the history of the development of the pathogen causing the bees' disease, known as "Kalkbrut" . Parey, Berlin 1921.

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