> Allen that's pure nonsense... I've been out there (Lusby Ranch), and there 
> were SOME AHB, but the majority of the locations I visited were not AHB.

That is very interesting.  How do you know that?   I've requested evidence 
to disprove the notion, since Africanization seems to be a prevailing expert 
opinion, and never received it.  The proof should be simple to obtain -- if 
it were there.  I'd be very pleased to be wrong about my observations, but I 
don't think I am.

The point here, since we were discussing small cell, is that AHB are known 
to, generally speaking, naturally use a distinctively smaller cell cell size 
than EHB.  Nobody disputes that AFAIK.

According to all the expert opinion I have heard and read, partial 
Africanization of an area or apiary as anything more than a transitional 
phase (unless hives are regularly and aggressively and frequently requeened 
with EHB) is not observed naturally, so the conclusion that the Lusby outfit 
'has a huge AHB component 'is not hard to reach.  In fact, it appears that 
you even substantially agreed with me above.

If the Lusby operation is an exception, it would be unique for an operation 
which is not importing stock and constantly requeening with EHB  My 
understanding is that the question is not too hard to settle conclusively if 
samples are provided to an ARS lab since they have done extensive work on 
the metrics and have impartial experts who have worked with bees in many 
countries.

Did you also visit the Carl Hayden Bee Lab nearby when you were in Tucson? 
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=53420300. The lab 
personnel are very knowledgeable and helpful.  They maintain an apiary on 
site, which the last few times I was there was largely Africanized as I 
recall.  FWIW, some of us opened and examined the hives without protection. 
AHB are not always "KILLER BEES".

Personally, I have nothing against AHB and think they are a promising bee 
that we must learn to incorporate into commercial stocks.  Either we do it 
or they continue to do it for us.  Lusby stock might be an interesting 
beginning, but I have never heard of anyone finding it suitable for 
commercial purposes.  Again, I would love to hear convincing evidence to the 
contrary.  I keep asking.

I would love to hear a happy ending the 'saga', as Dee called it.  After 
all, I did write several favourable articles in Bee Culture on the Lusby 
operation in earlier years based on what I saw at the time and have returned 
since.  I'd go back again in a minute.

I've based my opinion on the best facts I can gather and am always happy to 
change it.  To do that, I need facts, though, not opinions, admonitions, or 
rhetoric.

The proof should be simple. 

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