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Date: | Wed, 12 Jun 1996 08:03:11 PDT |
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Quite a few have commented recently about "aggressive bees." In my
studies of varroa mite infestation, I have noticed that aggression seems to
get more intense with ever-greater infestation rates. In one hive on Santa
Cruz Island last week, the bees were almost impossible to work --- even
with heavy doses of smoke. A check of the level of infestation revealed
that the colony likely had only another month or so of life.
Has anyone else noticed that correlation? If real, anyone finding a
suddenly aggressive colony might inspect closely for varroa mites, using
one or more of the eight known techniques (as listed in our June article in
BEE CULTURE: P. 343).
Adrian
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* Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] *
* Dept.Ecol.,Evol.,& Mar.Biol. Office Phone (805) 893-2838 *
* University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2675 *
* Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-8062 *
* *
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