Dee Lusby wrote:
> I do handle all the swarm traps for the Tucson and Green Valley Golf
courses and still have not seen what you describe.

* * *

> The defensive behavior and worker size observed for newly founded A m
scutellata colonies

> Newly established colonies exhibit little or no defense behavior
(Schneider and McNally, 1992c). Indeed, when recently founded colonies are
disturbed workers flee the combs and may abandon the nest (Schneider and
Blyther, 1988; Schneider and McNally, 1992c). Thus, during the early stages
of colony development few workers are likely to be lost in defense, which
may help maintain a larger number for foraging, nest construction and brood
care. 

> The initial workers raised by recently established colonies may be
somewhat smaller than those reared later in colony development, because
cells in the central (older) regions of the combs tend to be slightly
smaller than those in the outer, newer regions (Winston, personal
communication). Smaller size may allow a greater number of workers to be
produced from the resources that can be initially harvested. 

> The rearing of virgin queens and the production of swarms were observed
only during October and November. Defensive behavior is greatest at this
time, which may reflect larger colony size and increased ability to mount
attacks, or greater levels of investment in colony growth and reproductive
output (Schneider and McNally, 1992c). 

> "Developmental patterns associated with founding and swarming in colonies
of the African honey bee race, Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier" by SS
Schneider & LC McNally in Apidologie

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