Dave Cushman wrote:
>
> The other reason is that Italian bees were chosen on the false premise 
> that 'more bees make more honey' and Italian bees are noted for their 
> inappropriate over production of brood.
>
> More bees make more honey is only true if comparing colonies of 
> similar type, so if you were comparing Italian colonies, in general 
> the ones with more bees would gather a bigger surplus.
Although I do not have Dave's experience I would add what I believe to 
be another important point in support of the AMM.  According to Beowulf 
Cooper and Wedmore (although I have not come across the point in the 
only Wedmore book I have) AMM adult workers typically live for 2 or 3 
weeks longer than Italians.  This, in effect, about doubles their 
foraging life.  This results in colonies with foraging forces comparable 
to Italians but with significantly less brood and nurses to support.  
Added to this the small and relatively inactive winter clusters require 
much less winter stores.  All  this results in a greater proportion of 
the nectar collected being converted to surplus honey.

Regards

Steve Rose,  Derbyshire UK

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