> None of the AFB is ropey but the scale with the pupal tongue is
> unmistakable.

There *are* conditions that very closely mimic AFB.  If this is indeed AFB, and
it is not getting worse, but seems to be controlled, then you have a very
interesting situation.  Perhaps the situation needs more analysis, and that
analysis could lead to a discovery of importance.

> He had been using hygienic queens.
> Unlike the old days where AFB was clearly visible now we are finding only a
> few cells per side and the bees have cleaned out everything but the scale.

This is assuming that there was something else in the first place.  Perhaps
there are just a few cells that were infected.

> Are others on the list seeing the similar situation with
> terramycin resistant AFB and using hygienic queens?

Dunno.  Personally, I am not seeing ANY AFB of any type at all so far.  We don't
have the resistant AFAIK, and maybe the queens we are getting these days are
more resistant to AFB that the ones we used to get, but we are just unable to
find any.  I suspect that more and more breeders are realising that they will
lose their customers if the customers bees get AFB crops are reduced or
equipment has to be destroyed.  On the other hand, if their bees are resistant,
then their customers will stay in business and keep coming back. The hygienic
test aren't all that tough to do and more and more people are demanding it from
suppliers.

LET'S ALL ASK OUR SUPPLIERS EVERY TIME AND MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE WILL NOT BUY
ANYTHING ELSE.

> These frames are going  to be disposed of but we are looking
> closely to try to understand the problem.

That's a good idea, studying this more, I mean, not necessarily destroying
frames.

However if this scale tests positive in a *lab* test, then you know that the
equipment has AFB and then it is like being a little pregnant.  The decision is
at that point whether to destroy or irradiate *all* the equipment in this batch
or to just get rid of the scale and rely on drugs and hygienic queens to keep he
disease at bay.

If the you are only getting rid of the scale and there are only a few cells here
and there, why not just knock down the few scaly cells and let the bees clean
them up?  The resulting frames will not be significantly more contaminated than
the rest of the frames.

It is most interesting to hear that hygienic queens are working that well.  I'd
be interested to know how many hives in the outfit had these queens and how
consistent they are.  If we could get consistently hygienic queens I believe
that we would seldom see AFB -- and when we did, it would be a small concern
compared to what it is now.  Medication would be unnecessary, as would perhaps
be burning or melting.

allen