Bob commented on dead bees in the feeder of Nosema affected hives.
Is that a common experience? If so I wasn't aware of it. I have noted when 
feeding using plastic frame feeders, in some hives many bees drown in the 
syrup, yet most others in the same apiary do not, and their feeders are 
clean.

I assumed this was because the internal surface of some feeders was too 
shiny for bees to grip and they fell into the syrup. So equipped all feeders 
with plastic ladders made from "Gutterguard" mesh. Reduced the problem but 
didn't completely fix it.

Am I missing the possibility/probability that syrup drowning is indicative 
that these hives have a Nosema problem?
And if so, would this hold for Nosema apis, since testing has revealed that 
although N.ceranae is present in some eastern Australian states it is not 
present here in Western Australia, although N. apis is.
 (I should add that we do not observe any extreme Nosemosis symptoms, 
although variations in productivity within the apiary are usually ascribed 
to other causes, perhaps in error?)

I guess I will have to drag the microscope out from under the bed, and start 
testing!

PeterD 

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