In a message dated 15/12/2008 17:18:34 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<According to Erickson and Spivak, hygienic behavior is not  limited to
certain strains of bees. And hygienic behavior seems to be the  primary
weapon that bees use to prevent mites from getting the upper  hand.>>




Around 2000 or 2001 - I don't have the exact date -  I participated in a 
survey run by the CSL to determine the level of hygienic  behaviour in Britain. At 
the time I had a strain of ill-adapted hybrids which  certainly hadn't been 
selected for anything. I found quite high levels of  hygeinic behaviour, based 
on a simple test which involved cutting out squares of  broodcomb, freezing 
them, putting them back into the comb, and counting how many  cells were emptied 
over a couple of days.  

Regards,

Robert Brenchley
Birmingham  UK


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