Not being able to publish simple data that illustrates the benefits of some technique makes me wary of any claims. I don't think that kind of analysis of someone claims is unique to just the small cell topic either. I think Dick Allen asked some reasonable questions and I don't see any credible replies to his questions to make us all beleivers. Sounds like a bunch of cow manure to me. I'm sure that cell size could be a variable in the mite life cycle. However measuring the effects of variables in a complex system like a beehive is best left to someone with a good understanding of Factorial and Designed Experiements. Popular Science and other publications are littered with backyard garage inventors who thought they had uncovered various "breakthrough" discoveries only to learn later that life is not as simple as it may seam. May I suggest the following reading: Statistics for Experimenters, An introduction to design, data analysis and model building. The authors are known as Box Hunter (square) George E. P. Box, William G. Hunter and J Stuart Hunter. published in 1978 by John wiley and Sons. ISBN 0-471-09315-7 -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---