Mike writes:
ASSUMPTION:  The more mass a worker bee has, the better it
is able to withstand colder temperatures and thus fly in
cooler weather and better enable the colony to survive.

Reply:
Actually it has been proven that smaller bees fly in cooler
temperatures both earlier and later and withstand colder
temperatures quite well and warmer. But you are right for
the LC bees developing are exposed to a greater degree of
infestation due to higher JGH for triggering reproduction,
where with SC one mite into a cell for reproduction is
normally one mite out.........


Mike continues:  
ASSUMPTION:  The colder your climate, the bigger your
worker bee needs to be to maximize honey production.

Reply:
Now this I don't understand for how big is big before you
have to make the choice of carrying either pollen or honey
and not both? Also more workers with smaller and faster
development means more turn around time for making larger
crops in areas of shorter seasons for gathering. Also large
eat more brought home without saving. Besides it has been
proven smaller makes more....

respectfully submitted,

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

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