> It is an interesting article concerning the poor matings of queens and the
> possible natural reverting of the drones and queens down to smaller size.
> According to the article it seemed to of happened since the introduction
> of varroa.
...
> Could this be further proof of the need of down sizing of bees for the
> control of varroa?
Where bees are left to deal with varroa on their own, the best hives with
the most and best drones (not parasitized or able to thrive regardless)
will, in the long run be the dominant survivors.
What other characteristics are favoured is still unknown, but in the Tucson
area, it is clear that -- for whatever reason -- small size seems to have
been the result. In other areas, there are conflicting reports and
opinions.
See also:
http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0402A&L=bee-l&P=R866http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0502D&L=bee-l&P=R194
allen
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