"Ropiness" of brood

Introduction to the ropiness test

Figure 29: An AFB infected larva being roped out with a matchstick
Figure 29: An AFB infected larva being roped out with a matchstick

AFB infected larvae at both pre pupal and pupal stages display a characteristic “ropiness” when a small stick is used to slightly stir the diseased tissue in the cell and then the stick is slowly removed (Fig. 29).

The ropiness is thought to be caused by the presence of long chains of the vegetative stage of AFB bacteria intertwining and producing an elastic, binding effect.

The ropiness test is a common technique used to diagnose American foulbrood (for a description of how to accurately perform this test, go to the ropiness test , within the Inspection and Diagnosis section.

A positive ropiness test will almost always correctly diagnose AFB.

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AFB Videos
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New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.

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