"J. Waggle" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

The 'remote ferals' (honeybees remote from other domestic beekeeping operations) I collect here in SW Pennsylvania will have worker cell sizes ranging somewhere between 4.9 mm and 5.0 mm OR occasionally just above 5.0 mm 


From the posts lately sent, from general observation and not scientifically proven, it would seem that the mass of worker bees increases the more the colony is subjected to cold weather, whether it be latitude induced or altitude induced.  

ASSUMPTION:  The more mass a worker bee has, the better it is able to withstand colder temperatures and thus fly in cooler weather and better enable the colony to survive.  Albeit that would expose the developing bee to a greater degree to infestation of varroa mite as apposed to the smaller cell bee (according to the small cell proponents).

ASSUMPTION:  The colder your climate, the bigger your worker bee needs to be to maximize honey production.  The warmer the climate, the smaller the worker bee needs to be  (dissipates heat faster from a smaller mass)l.

Mike in LA

 		
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