Hi:
 
As per sucrose solutions, I may have tunnel vision.  This is not late
spring for us, we still have snow showers.  At this time of year in
Montana, we have fed both weak and strong sugar solutions.  Our
experience with weak sugar solutions fed to packages was not good, the
growth rate and behavior of the bees fed the weak solutions did not match
those fed the stronger sugar solution.
 
However, the metabolic costs, moisture conditions, weather stress, etc.
can be very different at this time of year from region to region.  An
overwintered colony with crystallized honey stores will be hauling
water.  Sugar solutions can simlute a nectar flow and stimulate
activities such as egg-laying.  My impression from the original note was
that the sugar was being fed to start a colony as its sole food supply,
not to simply stimulate it.
 
Bottom line, I suspect much of the 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 arguement is
"seat-of-the pants"  more than it is based on solid evidence.  I don't
have adequate data to examine all of the ramifications, maybe some of the
physiologists in the group do.  Thanks for pointing out the possible
error of my hasty conclusion.
 
Jerry Bromenshenk
The University of Montana
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