Pests and Diseases

Sacbrood virus (SBV), or Morator aetatulas, is an infectious virus affecting honeybee larvae in many areas of the world. Larvae die off before full...

There are two primary species of wax moths that can infest a European honey bee hive — the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), and the lesser w...

The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) is a parasite that lives and reproduces in the trachea of European honey bees. This microscopic internal mite cl...

Nosema is the highly destructive effect caused by one of two (or both) fungi named Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. While Nosema apis is generally a...

The Small Hive Beetle (SHB) is a pest insect affecting European honey bee colonies all over the world. They are usually about 5mm long and are dark...

Varroa destructor is extremely destructive and a major factor in Colony Collapse Disorder. Although they originally adapted to exploit Asian honey ...

American Foulbrood is a notifiable disease. If you suspect AFB may be present in your hive contact your local department of agriculture or apiary i...

Chalkbrood (Ascosphaera apis) is a mycosis (fungal disease) which infiltrates and spreads throughout a colony’s brood. Chalky-white in its early pr...

Large hive beetle is often seen as a bit of a mystery in the beekeeping community. While the pests have caused some damage to apiaries, few researc...

Africanised honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata), otherwise known as ‘killer bees,’ are a subspecies of the traditional European honey bee. The r...

The Asian hornet (Vespa mandarinia), also referred to as Asian giant hornet, is an invasive predatory pest of European honeybees. Native to tempera...

The Braula fly (Braula coeca) is a wingless fly primarily affecting honey bee colonies. Often mistakenly referred to as a braula louse, the insect ...