Nick,
 
    You refered to a maximum foraging distance of 8 miles.  This sounds about
    right.  The research was done in the 60's or 70's by Dr. Don Peer as
    Researcher for Agriculture Canada in Ontario.   Due to high bee densities,
    Peer chose to use the distinct Cordovan strain with its genetic marker.  I
    do not know the exact title of the publication, where it was published, and
    when.
 
    Similar research was carried out by Dr. Tibor Szabo in the early 80's.  He
    did not use genetic markers but chose 'honey bee free' areas in northern
    Canada.  Instead of faraging distance, bees were tested for maximum mating
    distance.  The results were quite remarkable in that queens were mated
    successfully at distances of up to 26 kilometers.  (I suppose passing on
    one's genes generates a higher level of motivation, than filling one's
    tummy!  And this is not unique to bees!).  I am not certain whether Szabo
    ever published his findings.
 
 
    Paul van Westendorp                         [log in to unmask]
    Provincial Apiculturist
    B.C. Ministry of Agriculture,
        Fisheries & Food
    17720 - 57th Ave
    Surrey, B.C.
    CANADA, V3S 4P9