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

If 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