--- "D. Murrell" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

......When I placed bees
> that had successfully survived on small cell into
> clean, large cell comb
> hives, they had all the advantages attributed to
> small cell bees except for
> mite tolerance....

I do not know what you were seeing,,, Any colony will
see advantages for a short time after drawing new
comb.  But recent evidence in small cell tests
completed in Norway revealed that adding new comb
large cell colonies did not give them the same
advantages long term as small cell bees.
You can see for yourself in the September 2005 issue
of Bee Culture, in the article
"Commercial Beekeeping in Norway"
by Hans-Otto  Johnsen

I'm glad that there is new evidence to finally put
this "new comb hypothesis" for the reason of small
cell success to rest.  RIP,  and may it never rear
it's ugly head again. ;>)

What else does this new study refute?

There is no AHB in Norway, so now the large cell
advocates cannot say that it was AHB influenced.

Get out da way!!! ,,, the large cell bee house of
cards is starting to fall. ;>)

Best Wishes,
Joe
Small Cell Beekeeper
Pennsylvania





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