Significance of European foulbrood of honey bees diagnostics in Montenegro

Abstract

The European foulbrood disease of honey bees is a contagious disease primarily of open and rarely of covered bee brood caused by gram positive round bacteria Melissococcus plutonius. From the larvae that died of the European foulbrood disease also other bacteria have been isolated: Enterococcus faecalis, Achromobacter euridica, Paenibacillus alvei and Brevibacillus laterosporus, but they do not affect the appearance of the disease. These bacteria are involved in the process of degradation of dead larvae. European foulbrood disease is on the list of dangerous infectious diseases of the International Organization of epizootic diseases (OIE). Due to the weakening and deterioration of the affected bee colonies, the disease leads to great losses. At the outbreak of the disease crucial influence have adverse environmental conditions and the mistakes in technology of bee breeding. Symptoms of the disease are visible on the open bee brood; the larvae change color to pale yellow, then dark brown, with semi - solid consistency and then disintegrate. There are no data on the presence of this disease in Montenegro. In order to protect bees from the occurrence European bee brood plague, should be work on the systematic diagnostic and implementation of preventive measures in the apiary. Beekeepers should apply the principles of good beekeeping and good veterinary practice.