I do know from personal experience, as well as the reports of other
beekkeepers in Alberta and the westen Canadian Provinces that the
chances of successfully wintering bees outdoors on light coloured
comb are poor.
Dark combs are essential. The reasons are not clear to me.
Perhaps someone has an explantion.
Regards
Allen
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>