-------- Original message --------
From: Joe Lewis <[log in to unmask]> 
Date: 08/01/2013  1:11 PM  (GMT-06:00) 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Walkaway splits and Russian queens 
 
 ( I continue to see folks using the Italian bee management styles carefully developed for at least 150 years and they are surprised it does not work the same on Russians! ??  

Another negative about the Russian bee.

 (Russians, according to queen breeder Bill Sprenkle, "just get it done"! but not using Italian rules.  

I did an article for Bee Culture in Dec. 2004 (I believe from memory)
Outlining the problems I saw for the commercial beekeeper with the Russian bee (based on my testing ovrr 400 Russian queens purchased
And queens raised from 26 instrumental inseminated Russian queens).

I received hate email saying I was a damn racist. I listed the same points Joe makes.

Joe said-
Unmanaged they will swarm at twice the rate of Italians, build, maintain and tear down perfectly good queen cells, hold 10-15 virgin queens captive for a week or two at a time, shut down brood productions when Italians are still going gang busters, etc, etc.  We just have to use their tendencies to our advantage.  Let's stop trying to put a square peg in the round hole.  

I thought you Russian queen breeders bred the above out of the Russian bee?

I am not putting down the Russian bee only its about time those wanting to try Russian bees get past the BS put out by those selling Russian queens &nucs and like Joe understand the nature of the 
R ussian bee.

Thanks for your honest description of the *typical* hive of Russian bees.

Sincerely,
Bob
Italian bee beekeeper

"Never argue with an idiot . He'll drag you down to his level ,then beat you with experience".





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