>Calls for swarms and colony extractions are way up this year, here in SW 
>Pennsylvania. 

Interesting report.  I hope others will offer reports from other areas.

>Unlike the years between 2006 and about 2010, swarms are very much 
>gentler...  During 06 thru 10 you could not catch swarms in my area without
> full bee gear. 

Makes one wonder about possible Africanization.

>Swarms are still on the small side, averaging 3 to 4 pounds.

Another African characteristic?

>Another interesting note is all ferals discovered this season are of the small
>to mid size type and draw a cell size around 5.1 to 5.2 mm, maybe slightly 
>above 5.2 tops.

Another sign of Africanization?

5.3 was the EHB cell size returned most often when I surveyed cell sizes 
some time back. 
See  http://www.honeybeeworld.com/misc/cellcountres.htm

Spivak got 5.3 according to this BEE-L article:
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/misc/Natural_Cell.htm

In the above article, note that the AHB crosses were not always defensive. 
Dewy Caron reported this as well.

IMO, the future of beekeeping in North America is bees with African genetics 
mingled with EHB genetics and selected for temper.

My bees are EHB, and today several followed me over one hundred yards after 
only walking to the yard and back.  They are from a strain selected for hardiness 
and production and resistance to disease and mites, but, apparently not for 
temper.  That will be my task, I guess.  I think/hope there are only one or two 
aggressive hives.

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