Randy wrote

> I don't have a reference, but was told several times that the ferals in
> Australia have considerable A.m.m. genetics.  This was a bit surprising to
> me, since the climate would appear to favor A.m. ligustica (Italians), or
> especially A.m. scutellata (the African savannah bee).

I have posted before re the feral population being derived from AMM.  Do 
doubt there are some AML but as we breed "soft" they tend not to survive in 
harsh conditions.  If a spotter hive is left on a bush site for any length 
of time, they then go black and cranky because of the influence of the old 
AMM when superceding.  The history of the introduction of honey bees to 
Australia shows that from 1822 up to the 1870's  AMM were shipped all over 
the country side.  Here in Queensland, there are many reports of hives going 
to places and one of their "good points" was that they would swarm many 
times in the season.  So feral AMM certainly got a foothold in many places.

I will let Peter post re the Western Australia situation.

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA 

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