European foulbrood or Melissococcus plutonius is a type of bacterial disease. It is a bacterium that infects the mid-gut of the bee larva. European foulbrood is considered less serious than American foulbrood. Melissococcus plutonius is not a spore forming bacteria, however bacterial cells can survive several months on wax foundation. Symptoms include dead and dying larvae which can appear curled upwards, brown or yellow, melted or deflated with tracheal tubes more apparent, or dried out and rubbery.