> The disorder of adult honeybees commonly known as "paralysis" has been referred to in beekeeping literature for many years. Neither the cause nor a satisfactory method of treatment of the disorder is known although it is a very destructive disturbance of adult bees. Various theories regarding the cause have been advanced but none of these have been proved correct.

> The affected bees become "stupid," weak, and eventually flightless. Before reaching this stage, even in mild form, they can be recognized because of other bees which tug and pull at them excitedly. The sick bees make no defense but sometimes offer food or attempt to crawl away from their tormentors. Eventually they are driven out or else crawl onto the top bars or into a semi-quiet corner of the hive. Sick bees may either retain their hair or become partially or nearly hairless before death occurs; they may thus vary in appearance from normal, young-looking bees to old, hairless ones with shining, swollen, greasy, or translucent abdomens. The most characteristic symptoms are decided trembling of the body and wings, particularly when accompanied by weakness, sprawled legs and wings, hairlessness, and dark, greasy-looking abdomens. 

Burnside, C. E. (1933). Preliminary Observations on " Paralysis" of Honeybees. Journal of Economic Entomology, 26(1), 162-168.

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