What is a characteristic symptom of American Foulbrood?

• A. White wax scales
• B. Foul odor
• C. “Roping” of dead larvae
• D. Green brood pattern

Answer: (C)

Roping of dead larvae is the hallmark sign of American Foulbrood. When honey bee larvae die in their sealed brood cells due to Paenibacillus larvae infection, the remains dry out and become threadlike and sticky. If you lift or pull a dead larva from the cell, it stretches into a thin, rope‑like strand filled with bacterial spores. That ropey consistency is highly distinctive for this disease and is the classic field indicator that the infection is American Foulbrood.

Other signs, like a foul odor, may be present but are less specific and can occur with other problems. Similarly, patterns described as green brood or white wax scales are not as diagnostic for this condition. The roping phenomenon helps differentiate American Foulbrood from European foulbrood, which does not produce the same rope-like larval remains.