>Bees normally defecate well away from the hive. They can't do this when

> being moved, which in itself must be stressful and maybe promote
>  defecation!
>

Could be, but has anyone seen any evidence that this actually happens?  I've
never noticed staining on the combs after a move, but do see bees that leave
the hives and fly to the net covering the load, with defecation outside the
hives.

The only study that I've seen was one by the ARS, which tracked N ceranae
loads through a year.  In that study, there was a major drop in nosema spore
load immediately AFTER the move from the East Coast to Calif.  My guess is
that the older, most infected bees may simply have died.

Randy Oliver

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