1) do hybrid bees from docile parents in general exhibit more
defensiveness, or is it that a few bad examples stick out? (seems to be
true for AHB)

Problem seems to be when A.m.m. crosses either with Italians or, worse, Carniolans.  Our pure, or as pure as we can get, A.m.m. are very docile, contrary to popular opinion.  Pure Carniolans in Germany as very gentle I understand with no need for veils and I have visited apiaries of pure Italians in the UK where nobody wore a veil.

Clearly, it is possible to produce gentle hybrids; Brother Adam did it with his Buckfast bees - but I have seen the result of those Buckfast crossing with A.m.m. and the result can be a nightmare.

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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