Journeyman Beekeeping Practice Exam 2025 - Free Beekeeping Practice Questions and Study Guide

Nosema disease negatively impacts nurse bees primarily by reducing their ability to produce brood food, such as royal jelly and other substances necessary for the proper rearing of larvae. This reduction occurs because Nosema affects the bees' digestive systems, impairing their overall health and energy levels. As nurse bees are responsible for caring for the queen's eggs and the developing larvae, any decrease in their capacity to produce food can lead to difficulties in raising a healthy brood population. A decline in brood food production can result in fewer healthy bees emerging from the hive, ultimately affecting the hive's population and its ability to thrive.

The other options describe effects that would not arise from Nosema disease. Increased brood rearing and enhanced hive cleaning abilities are generally positive aspects of nurse bee activity and would not be associated with the negative consequences of a disease affecting bee health. Greater foraging efficiency is also unlikely to be enhanced by an illness, as sickness typically leads to reduced overall activity and effectiveness in foraging tasks.