Joe Waggle writes:
You suggest a natural selection during food shortages for
‘lesser populated colonies‘, which might be applicable for
the south.

Reply:
This is not what I am seeing, as the hives are mostly
either strong or gone. You cannot have lesser colonies in
areas where more foraging is needed for food stores, to get
one thru droughts and lean years. Hives that perform well
out here normally do exceptionally well in other areas of
abundance by our local standards FWIW...and to have NO MAIN
FLOW this year and still end up in the fall with ample
stores and bees means a lot. For these bees then can on
average years do fine!

Respectfully submitted,

Dee A. Lusby
Small Cell Commercial Beekeeper
Moyza, Arizona
http://grous.yahoo.com/group/organicbeekeepers/


 
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