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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Peter Loring Borst <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 29 Nov 2014 17:37:45 -0500
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The supposed connection between nosema and "dysentery" dies hard

Bailey wrote back in 1968

"Dysentery" is a beekeeper's term for the voiding of visibly large quantities
of faeces by bees not in flight; such defaecation occurs when the
weight of the rectal contents exceeds about 40 per cent of the total body
weight. Excess water in food or prolonged confinement is a common cause.

From the USDA, 1978

Spotting or dysentery, not a symptom, may or may not characterize a
nosema-infected colony. Bees of weak colonies that are dying from whatever
cause - nosema, starvation, or queenlessness - may defecate. Conversely,
grossly infected nosema bees may not void noticeable amounts of feces.

PLB

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