This image illustrates the contents of an AFB infected cell that is at the midpoint between a 'wet' ropable larvae and a dry black scale. Of note is the darker brown colour due to age.

This image illustrates the contents of an AFB infected cell that is at the midpoint between a 'wet' ropable larvae and a dry black scale. Of note is the darker brown colour due to age, the glossy appearance and the more gelatinous nature of the cell contents. Additionally, the volume of the cell contents is substantially less. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

This image illustrates the coffee colour development in two larvae. Note also the horizontal lines sometimes seen that is referred to as 'loss of body segmentation'. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

AFB infected larvae at pupal stage - Bob Russell

Decomposing pupa. In bright sunlight, the head and body appear very pale. The mouth and tongue can be seen clearly. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

slumped coffee coloured larvae. Note the shiny appearance, the even tone of colour and the way a slumping larvae appears to rise up at the back.

Roping out - photo by Tim Sharp

Two decomposing larvae. The brown/black prepupal heads are foreground in the cells. Note the distinct coffee colour in comparison to healthy eggs and larvae. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

Partial cell capping removal and from the dark within, mouth and tongue in early development.

Four AFB-infected cells in a hive. Larval colour darkens with time, contents become tacky, and material lessens. Blackened, sunken, and perforated cappings are also visible.

This image shows five AFB-infected larvae and pupae. It highlights three slumping stages, two pupal infection stages with visible mouthparts and tongue, and desiccation shrinkage. Photo: Murray Rixon

This image shows the colour, texture, and volume of a long-term AFB-infected cell. The roping length has reduced, and little material remains on the matchstick. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This image shows a desiccated AFB variation with a dry scale body and dried pupal tongue. The black, glossy scale has creased edges due to desiccation. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This photo shows four slumped larvae with a concave shape (three below center, one top right). Three perforated cappings at the top vary from pinholes to fully exposed cells. Photo: Murray Rixon.

Pupa tongue

This image shows a larva decomposing at the pupal stage. It has a uniform coffee colour, lost segmentation, and is just starting to slump into a concave state. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This image shows a slumping larva with faint horizontal lines and a raised rear. Its pale colour indicates an early stage, photographed on a sunny day. Photo: Murray Rixon.

Photo shows AFB slumped in a cell surrounded by eggs. Bees have removed 90% of the cell cap but haven’t yet cleared the infected contents. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This image shows two decomposing pupa side by side. Note the slight colour variation and shape difference with the two pupa. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

This image shows AFB in older frames. An infected pupa with pupal tongue is found away from the brood, in crystallized honey. Matchstick shows size. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This photo shows five desiccated shiny black scales. The scales adhere firmly to the cell floor and can't be pulled out with a matchstick. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This heavily infected AFB frame shows darkened, greasy, and sunken caps. Perforations range from tiny pinholes to large chewed caps. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This image shows a common response to stirring an AFB-infected cell. A bee begins licking the material. The cell will be empty within hours. Photo: Murray Rixon.

Pupa tongue

This image shows four cells with clear signs of AFB. Photo supplied by Murray Rixon

This photo shows an unusual case: two bee pupae in one cell, both collapsed with AFB and displaying pupal tongues. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This image shows two AFB-infected cells in an interim stage between coffee-coloured and desiccated black scale. Note the uniform colour, texture, and glossy appearance. Photo: Murray Rixon.

Frame with AFB, photo courtesy of Kintail

Uncapping a sunken perforated cell exposed an AFB-infected larva that died at pupal stage. Note the infected cell surrounded by fresh egg cells. Photo: Jason Ward.

Burning AFB infected hive, photo courtesy of John Graham

This photo shows two views of AFB: left, late onset with coffee colour and pupal tongue; right, slumped AFB larva with lost segmentation. Photo: Murray Rixon.

After uncapping sunken perforated cells, AFB larvae were found. Top: AFB larva died at pupal stage, bottom: AFB larva at pre-pupal stage. Photo: Jason Ward.

AFB killed larva at pupal stage AFB, courtesy of Kintail

Scale - photo courtesy of Bob Russell

This photo shows AFB roping out to 30mm. Note the consistent colour and texture with no lumps or watery areas, just before snapping off. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This photo shows AFB material roping out under UV light, just before separating. It’s even in consistency with no lumps or inclusions. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This photo shows AFB with a spotty brood pattern. Note the perforated cappings, including one cell where AFB is visible inside. Photo: Murray Rixon.

This photo shows a slumped AFB larva with lost body segments and horizontal lines. Bees removed 90% of the capping but left the infected material. Photo: Murray Rixon.

Photo illustrates the coffee coloured AFB. Note the loss of body segments - Murray Rixon

Greasy sunken perforated cells, pupal tongue and pre-pupal AFB scale in dead out hive - photo courtesy of Lott Larson

Photo illustrates AFB scale. It is shiny black, hardened, difficult to remove. Will fluoresce under UV light - Murray Rixon

Burning AFB infected hives - Murray Rixon

Rare finding two AFB pupal tongue in the same cell. Photo supplied by Matt Tubbs.

Burning of AFB infected hive in backyard, photo courtesy of Chris Crook

Making a killed AFB positive hive bee proof and preparing it for safe transport to the burning pit, photo courtesy of Chris Crook

AFB ropiness test on newly killed AFB affected larva photo courtesy of Chris Crook

Infected AFB larva that died at the pupal stage. The white margins of the body are still clearly visible. Photo courtesy of Murray Rixon

AFB Pupa scale photo courtesy of Bob Russell

Pupa tongue courtesy of Bob Russell

Roping out - photo courtesy of Bob Russell

Roping out - note the consistent colour and texture. It is shiny and there are no lumps or solids - Murray Rixon

AFB infected brood cells cappings at early stages don't necessarily show very different colour from healthy capped brood

Diseased pupa with tongue

AFB Roping Out

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