Hi Ron
You have had the classic experience with the Starlines when they supercede.
The Starline is a four-way cross hybrid which when it 'back crosses' results
ina very nasty bee.  I do not believe that the same is true of the other
hybrids - at least I have never heard such.  I believe that Larry Connor was
instrumental in the development of the Starline (correct me if I'm wrong
Larry) and could give a good explanation of the genetic problem.
 
Gary Bradshaw
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: INFORMED Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ron Bogansky
> Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 1998 10:31 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Buckfast Queens
>
>
> Hi Gang,
> I have a question on Buckfast queens.  I did a search in the archives and
> found many posts but none really answered my question.  Does the Buckfast
> breed true?  Assuming there are Buckfast drones will the
> daughters still be
> Buckfast, and if so how many generations (practical) will still
> be Buckfast?
>
>
> I have a colony that had a Starline queen that was superseded
> sometime late
> last season.  Other that I noticed that the marked queen was gone
> the colony
> seemed OK.  I decided to let go through winter and probably requeen in the
> spring.  I checked that colony this week and they were extremely
> aggressive,
> especially compared to all the other colonies.  They followed me
> back to the
> truck and would not give up.  I did not see the queen but there was plenty
> of eggs and brood so she was there.  She may be a second or third
> generation
> queen, but one things for sure, she's history.
>
> I have never used Buckfast, but my daughter is in an agricultural class
> where she and three other students will be starting colonies for
> a project.
>  They ordered packages with Buckfast queens.  I am assuming that with all
> the inexperienced handling they will be doing, a queen may be injured and
> replaced.  I would not want these young beekeepers to come away with a bad
> and "painful" experience because of an aggressive colony.  I do plan on
> trying to help these students.
>
> One humorous side note.  This ag project requires a student to raise an
> animal for market.  When my daughter told me she chose bees I told her I
> would give her whatever equipment she needed and we would make a split in
> April.  I also told her I would start nucs for the other
> students.  She said
> no that the teacher had order packages, but had suggested that my daughter
> use one of my colonies.  She declined and said she wanted a package.  I
> asked her why.  She said she told the teacher she wanted to do the same as
> the other students, but she told me that when school is over they
> take them
> home.  This way we get a "free" hive.
>
> Why don't I think like that?  Maybe she should run the operation and I
> should work for her, although she would probably make me take a pay cut.
>
> Any information on the Buckfast question would be appreciated.
>
> Ron Bogansky
> Kutztown, PA
>