Texas Master Beekeeper's Apprentice Practice Exam

One of the key symptoms of Nosema infestation in bees is the rapid loss of adult bees. Nosema is a protozoan parasite that infects the digestive tract of adult honeybees, leading to significant health issues. When bees are infected, they often exhibit poor foraging behavior and weakened immune responses, which can result in a higher mortality rate among the adult bee population.

The disease can especially impact the longevity and viability of the worker bees, leading to rapid losses in the population. This dramatic decline can disrupt the colony's functions, as there may not be enough worker bees to maintain brood care, foraging, and hive maintenance. This symptom is particularly concerning because it can compromise the overall health and survival of the colony if not addressed.

While loss of nectar storage, increased swarming, and excessive honey production can occur due to various factors, they are not direct symptoms of Nosema infestation. Instead, these phenomena may be influenced by other aspects of hive management, environmental conditions, or disease pressures unrelated to Nosema.