According to our experiences, here in the central Europe, the demage of the
late summer and early autumn bee generations in the larval stage caused by
Varroas is the main reason of the disapearing of bees from hives early in
the winter. Colonies are not able to develop a quality winter generation
and bees soon die out. I would say that Roy's colonies were equally hit by
mites but those moved a month earlier died simply due to the stress caused
by the transport. If this is true the other portion first left in silence
and than moved later would die again about withing a month.
The protection of the winter generation during its larval development
is one of the main points in the complex of measures against Varroa.
Best regards,
Vladimir Ptacek
[log in to unmask]                    phone: .42/5/41129 562
Fac. Sci., Dpt. Anim. Physiol.        fax:   .42/5/41211 214
Masaryk University.
611 37 Brno, Czech Republ.