John

"My observational data (queens were color coded)  supports the contention that what is called "survivor" fitness in the So Cal AHB is nothing more than really prolific and  aggressive colonization.   They die of mites, but breed like rabbits."

Nicely stated - I would tend to agree.  Swarming may well be the survivor factor.  From our own work, when a colony swarms, there's almost always a big heat spike in the core of the colony.  As many of you remember, others have mentioned heat as a method for reducing mite levels - the problem is killing the mites without heat prostrating the colony.




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