Hi All

> <<e) small cell appears to promote some forms of  hygienic
> behaviour.>>
>
> I think this is it; .... (wrote Robert Brenchley)

Perhaps it is time to expand (e) a little based on Dennis
Murrell's observations, those of Harbo and Harris, and
comments here.

e) Some bees are genetically predisposed to identify, open
and clean brood with reproducing Varroa mites(*).  However
many or all strains may be induced to show this behaviour
when brood is raised on the naturally small cells found in
the core part of natural brood nests.  Such a cleansing
would be of evolutionary advantage to the honeybee, perhaps
for other brood pests too, and may indeed have been
suppressed by the introduction of manufactured foundation of
uniform size.

(*) where 'reproducing' means egg-laying or with young mites
only, see:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=192539

But this begs the question: is VSH and the bald brood seen
in small cell colonies the same phenomenon but just
triggered differently?  Are bees selective in the cells they
open in both cases, or is a whole slab of brood affected?
Is it always seasonal in the same way?

Incidently, there seems to be a 'Chinese whispers' effect on
VSH.  A quick 'Google' brought up these variants, the first
by Harris and Harbo and so authentic:

Varroa-Sensitive Hygiene
Varroa-Sensitive Hygienic (bees)
Varroa-Sensitive hygienic behavior
Varroa-Specific Hygiene
Varroa Suppression Hygiene

all the best

Gavin

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