In a message dated 02/12/03 05:04:24 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> I'd guess that bees that appear "smaller" are victims of poor nutrition
> (or just plain underfeeding) in the larval stage.  If eating "brood food"
> after emerging could make for a bigger bee, some number of young bees would
> do so even under extreme pollen shortages, and be larger.
>
> If I am quoting Norman Carreck corectly from a recent lecture at Buckfast,
> bees that emerge with 5 varroa mites may be as much as 18% lighter than
> uninfested sisters but within 3 days are the same weight.  He did not say whether
> the weight gain was accompanied by an increase in girth.
>
> Chris

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