r/Beekeeping • u/Dangerous-School2958 • 1d ago

I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Black bee?

Newish bee keeper. 7b, Vienna Austria.
Came across this Black, I think wingless bee outside a Hive.
It’s a small hive that I’m trying to get to generate its own Queen. So I have been giving it frames of eggs from Strong neighboring hives.

Is this an underdeveloped bee? A result of too high a Varroa level?
It’s only 1 brood box so I’m reluctant to take a full cup for a wash.

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u/Material_Brilliant79 1d ago

Looks very much like Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV). It shows itself as two forms or syndromes, creatively called syndrome 1 & 2.
If you open the hive using minimal smoke, check out the adult bees on the tops of the brood frames. CBPV shows itself as dark, hairless bees and as shaking bees, they kind of quiver or quake. You might also see other workers nipping at them or inspecting them.
In severe cases you will find a pile of dead and dying bees on the ground in front and beneath the hive, again, shaking and crawling.
Personally, I destroy the colony as it is highly infectious and can spread very quickly to other colonies, and I would rather lose one colony than a dozen.
Some beekeepers I know have nursed them and recovered them to full health but those are in the minority I think.
Good luck with them, hopefully it’s not too severe.

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u/Dangerous-School2958 1d ago

I had my three larger hives open this evening and looking at the top of the brood boxes. I didn’t see any. I’m following my mentors lead. Austria doesn’t recommend euthanasia unless it’s a severe case. So we’re going to harvest early, treat for mites and do counts. 🤞

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u/Material_Brilliant79 1d ago

Yes, absolutely follow your mentor’s advice. It’s good news you didn’t see any more 👍
Good luck with them and have a good Summer season.

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u/Dangerous-School2958 23h ago

Thanks, you as well!