Floyd: 3 quarts just seems like a very small amount for that time of the
year.

   As Deborah mentioned, there was a severe drought.  Plants shut down
nectar production under such conditions.  When there's a long dry fall
(Indian summer), bees are actively foraging, getting nothing, and using
stores like crazy.  The past two falls I've left 50 #, hoping for another
20 for the winter, but finding only 20# in mid Nov.  Even healthy hives can
be light.
   You are right, though, in thinking that there was a problem brewing.
Varroa/viruses shorten lifespans, and the end-of-life job is foraging. So,
the hive comes up short.
   It may also be that the hive was robbed as it became weaker.
Cheers,
Kristina Williams
Boulder, CO


On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 11:54 AM, deborah <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Floyd, this is an interesting point, I'd like to hear the communities
> thoughts on it. Thank you for raising it.
>
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