On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 4:21 PM, randy oliver  wrote:

> >
> > >But, bees sometimes swarm in late summer, which is usually suicide in a
> > cold climate.
>
>
> Unless those swarms usurp an established colony.  Evolutionarily, it would
> be highly advantageous, since a suicide squad of an aging queen and a small
> number of protective workers could take over an established colony already
> possessing winter stores, and thus pass their genetics to the next
> generation.
>
> The observed occurrence of a September peak in swarming, Wyatt Mangum's
> observations, plus my own observations over the years in Calif, all appear
> to me to support my hypothesis that late-season usurpation swarming is not
> only an Africanized bee trait, but an established trait of the North
> American population of European bees.
>

For sure September for you, March for me, and probably, depending on the
region the month of  "estiaje" peak is a tough time.

I believe is the time of no intervention. Lots of robbery between strong
and weak hives, yellow jacket attacks to varroa infested or decaying hives.
Hard time for selection. Nature makes our life easier taking care of the
ones that will not pass next winter. April is the time for taking dead out.

I only take care of the summer nucs (bringing them early to the valley).
They won't deserv that much hardship ;) Next year will be their year !!

I haveńt seen those late summer swarms, but for sure is one of the
possibilities on that before winter storm.

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