Hello All,
Interesting new research published last year in Apidologie seems to support
what Dee Lusby has been saying as far as cell size being enlarged since the
late 1800's.
The research was done in Ireland on A.m.m. by J.B. McMullen & M.J.F. Brown.
"The Influence of Small Cell brood combs on the morphometry of honey bees
( Apis mellifera)
Apidologie, 37-665-672
The study gives exact places of bee size reduction and the amount of the
reduction. Bee size was measured at 5 months and then 24 months after
placement on 4.9-5.0mm. small cell comb.
The study was done only to see if cell size produced small bees and said
nothing about things like varroa control other than there were reports of
varroa control by those using small cell comb. The authors opinion was that
small cell could help with varroa control.
The authors clearly state that A.m.m was originally on 5.0mm. cell in the
late 1800's in England & Ireland. Then in the 1920's foundation of 5.5mm.
was introduced.

bob


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