>From Gleanings at http://www.airoot.com/chalk.htm "Like most fungi, chalkbrood produces spores for reproduction. Spores are transferred to previously uninfested colonies by drifting bees, using contaminated tools, or contaminated comb transfer. Once spores are in a colony, they come in contact with 3-4 day-old larvae by being fed to them, or clinging to cell walls. After being sealed in the cells, if the larvae are chilled in the next two days, even briefly, the spores germinate and begin growing when the temperature increases again. They germinate in the gut, or on the larvae's surface, and begin feeding (surface germinating spores work their way into the larvae's gut). Once growing the fungus feeds on the same food as the larvae and out-competes them. The larvae starve to death." I wonder... Is chilling *necessary* for chalkbrood to develop? In my experience, bees keep their brood at 96 degrees plus or minus a half degree. Moreover, when brood chilling might ocur due to contraction of the cluster, the centre would still stay at the correct temperature. While it seems I do recall more chalkbrood around the outer edges, it seems to me that chalkbrood can as easily be found in the centre of the middle brood comb. (The article in question was excerpted from Pests, Predators and Diseases Third Edition, Chapter 5, by Martha Gilliam and John Vandenberg) What experiences do others have? Is this statement credible? Is there research proving this? Regards Allen W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask] Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>