Hi Mike,

This is a thought I had last year.   The flow has been poor here also as
Kirk's being in the same general region. Even if it is a defense against
varroa it still is in conflict with the beekeepers interests. Mike, were the
majority of the swarms pre-fall flow swarms?

> Has anyone else seen this?

Yes.

>Normally, there is still brood in the colony
> when the new queen begins to lay, wouldn't you say?

Not from what I have been seeing here.  Almost every time the queens have
not begun to lay till all or almost all have emerged. I have been wondering
if the addition of a frame of brood at the time would delay the queen from
laying. (just one of them thoughts).

I'll give my 2 cents here what I've been thinking for the past few years
here.  There is often a period between summer and fall (not always) that
dries up for a week or two here.  Then as goldenrod / asters kick in it
re-creates  and mimics the conditions of the spring swarm period. Some years
this is quite strong impulse. Bees to the trees unless the beekeeper opens
up the brood chambers quite a bit. It would however if left to there own
devices seem that this would be a natural defense at limiting varroa using a
trigger from nature rather than a truly self induced trigger (initially).
This of course is pure speculation on my part. Either way it seems that it
is a defense taking advantage of the environmental situation and why its
good to have a well adapted bee.


Clay, NY- across the pond from Mike and Kirk
Clay's Bee Page- http://wave.prohosting.com/clay2720/

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::