> "Some negative attributes have been found in the Russian stock. The
traits
> needing improvement include high supersedure rates."
> from "Varroa Resistance and Economic Traits of Russian Honey Bees in
Canada"
> http://www.honeycouncil.ca/nasr02.html

Readers should be aware that this was one very limited trial under less
than ideal conditions.

In the same tests, the acceptance of the Ontario queens was very poor,
although their later performance was better.  The Russians were accepted
better, but many failed later.  In both strains -- the only bees
involved -- performance would be considered unsatisfactory by any
commercial operator.

The influence of factors other than the bees used should be strongly
suspected. We must be very careful in believing the results of any one
study.

allen