The incidence and distribution of some diseases of the adult honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in England and Wales

Abstract

Although epidemics of bee disease have been repoited in Europe for hundreds of years it was not until recent times that detailed notes on the incidence and distribution of one of these epidemics, the so‐called ‘Isle of Wight disease’ epidemic, were made.Since 1918 four complaints of the adult honeybee, acarine disease, Nosema disease, Amoeba disease and bee paralysis, have been recognized in this country.Surveys in England and Wales to determine the incidence and distribution of acarine disease, Nosema disease and Amoeba disease were carried out during the winters of 1941‐2 and 1943‐4. These surveys showed that none of these diseases is clearly confined to any definite areas of England and Wales. Acarine disease is, however, apparently more abundant in the west and south‐west; and Nosema disease appears to be most prevalent in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Surrey, and also has other areas of heavy infection in Leicestershire and Cumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire.Sufficient cases of Amoeba disease have not yet been recorded for it to be possible to conclude that any one area is more heavily infected than another. It is estimated that approximately one out of every five or six of the colonies of bees in England and Wales is suffering from acarine disease. Less than 1% are likely to be suffering from Nosema or Amoeba disease. Bee paralysis is both common and widespread, but probably does little serious harm.