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+    Raymond J. Lackey                                     +
+    Beekeeper 10 years with 25 colonies on Long Island, NY+
+    INTERNET: [log in to unmask]                       +
+    Mail: 1260 Walnut Avenue, Bohemia NY 11617            +
+    Home Phone: 516-567-1936  FAX: 516-262-8053           +
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The question came up some time back about a wax rendering plant
that had developed a resistant strain of bees (to American Foul Brood).
The question was for information on the subject bees.
 
I just finished a book, Bees and their Keepers, Richard F. Trump, 1987,
Iowa State University Press,ISBN 0-8138-0214-8.  It was a very
entertaining and informative book.  The subject was discussed in the
chapter "Breeding a Better Bee?".It was a Sioux City Iowa beekeeper E
Edward Brown.  The strain was developed further by Iowa State University
and named the Brown Bee.  The University employee, Walter Rothenbuhler,
used artificial insemination to selectivelly breed for the cleaning
behavior, two separate recessive genes, one to open cell of dead
bee and the second to remove the body.  The particular line became
extinct when Walter left Iowa for Ohio State University and all hives
were lost.
 
Steve Tabor had used similar techniques to breed his line for resistance
to AFB.  He periodically tested his bees by freezing a frame of brood
and checking the time it took the bees to uncap and remove the dead.
 
I'm jealous of those in warmer climates, although from todays email
I guess we have it good.  We've had highs of 35-40 degrees F, not -10.
A quick check on a warm day showed active clensing flights and some
brood raising.  I had to really rip up one colony for an observation
hive at a local flower and garden show.  The queen was in good form
and had a large softball (12 cm) pattern across three frames.
Snowdrops are blooming and crocus and daffidil are breaking through.