Diseases of the honey bee#Chalkbrood

The chalkbrood ( Ascosphaerose ) is a disease of the Western honey bee. It is caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis.

The infection is fungal spores in the feed. The larvae die after the capping of the cell in the drafting stage and form fruiting bodies that contain fungal spores. The disease can be recognized that the capped cells containing the so-called Kalkbrutmumien, rattle when shaking the brood combs. This breed disease occurs especially in weak peoples and is favored by cool, wet weather.

The chalkbrood is a factor disease. Since the excitation Ascosphaera apis is naturally present in the environment, leading to disease factors must be eliminated. The following factors favor the chalkbrood: cold, wet location, weakly trained cleaning instinct of bees. The following control measures can be taken: Change location or Umweiseln, with simultaneous removal of the infested combs.