To address a couple of statements by Randy and Alden and Peter.


I agree that the mite count using drone brood can be clumpy, and apparently 
from what you stated(Randy) in an earlier email the correlations may not be 
strong between drone brood and adult worker bee infestation....(as a 
separate issue, do you think this calls into question the drone/worker brood 
infestation rates that have been put forth by the researchers? Isn't that 
many times where most of the mites are if I recall correctly-in the sealed 
brood?)

I will say that the differences in mite level infestations were so stark and 
so uniformly consistent  for the summer hives vs. spring hives that it made 
a powerful impression on me, this happened for 3 or so seasons in such a 
consistent manner that I felt it was a valid observation-I still do.
Also the beek in Florida uses sticky boards to find mite counts-so coming 
from another angle , the results seem to match.
Now, given all that I will say that I don't put this forth as a scientific 
study-although I think it could be verified scientifically(which I plead 
guilty of laziness along these lines since I have a fairly strong background 
in Prob and Stat.)

My daughter and I had indeed speculated a mass "inodus" to the drone cells 
after a broodless(or reducedbrood) period as a possible explanation.

One other correction...I had stated a 50% reduction in mite count from 
spring to summer in the drone. I dont know if I was trying for some reason 
to be cautious or whether I just had a brain cramp, but the figure should be 
higher-more like 3 to 1.

Your questions are valid and make me think. Maybe they will spur me to a 
more mathematical approach. I will be a better beek if I do I am sure
Thanks
John Horton

 

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