CHRS: IBMPC 2
CODEPAGE: 850
MSGID: 240:244/186 81744162
REPLY: 240:44/0 84f32204
PID: FDAPX/w 1.13 UnReg(48)
My understanding was that the researches of Professor Heath indicated that
there are no surfaces in a typical beehive free of chalkbrood spores. It is
unlikely therefore that hygienic behavior would prevent it. What may happen,
however, is that hygienic bees may detect and remove afflicted larvae sooner.
This would waste marginally less brood food if this occurs before feeding is
complete and free the cells for re-laying sooner. It would have the effect of
disguising the amount of brood lost as the beekeeper would be more likely to
see unbroken slabs of brood than in an unhygienic hive even thouth the brood
loss may be the same.
This is not to deny that hygienic behavior should be encouraged for numerous
other reasons.
Chris Slade
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* Origin: Beenet Point (240:244/186)