This posting prompted me to think about what is happening in my beekeeping
life.
I am still getting swarm calls at this time of year in Santa Barbara. The
sizes of swarms range from fist size to soccer ball size. All have queens.
I am wondering if these swarms are the result of mites. The bees are
breaking the mite breeding cycle by swarming at thislate in the season. I
understand this is a trait of the AHB.
Perhaps we are seeing survival of the fittest occuring in the local bee
population.
*********
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 21:17:00 +0200
From: Torbjorn Schultz <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: research on feromons in ordr to trap varroa mites
In the worldwide struggle to find longterm solutions of the varroa problem I
would like to put forward some questions:
Are there any promising research and results according:
methods to use feromons to trap and reduce the mites?
methods to use "natural enemies" and diseases against the mites?
breeding varroa resistent bees?
------------------------------
Paul Cronshaw, D.C.
Cyberchiro and Hobbyist Beekeeper
Santa Barbara, CA USA