Lloyd wrote,
> I have been told that the varroa preference (for) drones is in
> the category of
> 'old wives tale'
Well, I don't think varroa has been around long enough for wives to get old,
but perhaps so.  However, the initial perception that varroa "prefer" drones
is falling out of favor, although drones DO exhibit a higher rate of
infestation than workers.  What was initially thought to be a preference is
now being chalked up to other causes, such as the fact that drone cells are
uncapped for a longer period than worker cells, hence it is more likely that
varroa will find their way into the uncapped cells.  Cell height (the fact
that drone cells are higher than worker cells) is also being offered as a
possible explanation.  I heard this offered at a conference a few years back
(I don't recall where or when), but then heard very little follow-up on the
idea.

I do not kown of Nick's experiments to which Lloyd refers, but would be
interested to see the results,  Dr. Calderone will be speaking at the SABA
Seminar scheduled for February 28 here at UAlbany.
See: http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0401B&L=bee-l&P=R623

Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::