Hairless Black Syndrome (Schwarzsucht)
Krankheiten
In hairless black syndrome (Schwarzsucht), also called forest-flow disease (Waldtrachtkrankheit) in German usage, the bees lose their hair.
In hairless black syndrome (Schwarzsucht), also called forest-flow disease (Waldtrachtkrankheit) in German usage, the bees lose their hair. The pale bands on the abdomen disappear, and the animals appear shiny black. Hair loss begins on the abdomen and spreads to the thorax and head.
The cause is not contagious but a deficiency condition. With a lack of pollen and amino acids, the cuticle lacks nitrogen-containing building blocks, becomes brittle, and the hairs are lost even with slight contact. Because this occurs frequently during the forest honeydew flow from spruce and fir, when a lot of honeydew and little pollen is brought in, the second name comes from this. Bacteria and sooty mold fungi on the honeydew are also discussed as contributing factors.
The same appearance can also be caused by the Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus, in which case splayed wings and rejection of affected bees by their nestmates are added. Mechanical hair loss from robbing also looks similar. Distinguishing by appearance alone is therefore not possible.
Hairless black syndrome is usually temporary. A change of location to a site with a varied nectar and pollen supply, instead of honeydew-producing conifers, is effective. To be considered separately are the effects of honeydew and melezitose honey in the winter feed, which lead to the non-contagious dysentery.