In a message dated 26/10/2008 17:47:10 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

I see  less EFB in strong healthy hives also but not sure exactly why this  
is.



With EFB, the larva dies of starvation as the bacteria in its gut eat most  
of her food. It is then removed from the colony intact, taking its  load of 
bacteria with it. In a strong healthy colony there are enough nurse  bees to feed 
the larva enough for it to survive the larval stage, pupate  (defecating in 
the process) and emerge as an adult which then cleans the cells,  followed by 
feeding the next lot of babies, passing on the EFB in the  process.  The 
beekeeper won't see any sign of the EFB until the colony  becomes stressed for some 
reason, leaving a shortage of nurse bees.
 
Chris

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