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30
In these cases as well as in the case reported by WoLFRAM (26)
Aspergillus flavus was found to be the cause of the disease. So far
it has not been reported from Sweden, probably on account of in-
sufficient knowledge in the matter of bee-diseases among most of
our practical bee-keepers. There is no doubt that upon close inquiry
additional species of the genus Aspergillus will be found to cause
mycosis in bees just as in the case of mycosis in man. (The literature
on this latter subject may be found in TunEssoN 24) Aspergillus
fumigatus, the most dreadful among the species causing mycosis in
man and higher animals, has been found to attack insect larvae as
reported by Ges and Massey (9). It is further of interest to note,
that Aspergillus nidulans, another pathogenic mould, was originally
found in a bumble bee’s nest (Erpam 7).
Another kind of mycosis is the one caused by Pericystis alvei, in
appearance similar to aspergillosis. It was originally described by
Berrs (5) but the disease has later also been observed in Germany.
(Maaszen, according to BAHR.)
Totally different from these diseases is the one herein reported
known as bee-paralysis and due to the toxin-producing properties
of moulds growing in the hive. The frequency of moulds in the
bee-hive has been referred to in the above. Also Maaszen finds
moulds to be common in hives, and WuitE (25) remarks (pag. 25):
»A large number of common fungi were found in the flora of the
intestines and in cultures from the pollen and the combs.»
In order to test the condition of growth of bee-hive fungi a series
of cultural experiments were made with Penicillium sp. and P.
stoloniferum. "The results of the experiments are given below.
No growth takes place in pure wax. Fine growth was found to
lake place on old combs. As is well known, the chitinous cocoons
remain in the cells when the bees are hatched. Possibly other
waste-products as well combine to make old combs free from honey
such excellent media for moulds. Fine growth was further obtained
on pollen collected from honey-combs, sterilized and put in test
tubes. Almost any mould will grow on flour. To feed bees on
flour as a substitute for pollen is, therefore, inadvisable from this
standpoint as well. Unsealed brood, killed in the autoclave and
inoculated with Penicillium sp. and P. stoloniferum became completely
enveloped with a coating of the fungi. As to the susceptibility of
sealed brood cells nothing can be said for certain, but such combs are
sometimes found to be mouldy. The brood cells are capped with
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