...populous hives are more likely to
> test hygienic than
> smaller hives...

Then, this is saying that in the freeze kill method,
the tests can be compromised due to varying colony
strength.

I would expect that the 'liquid nitrogen' test is much
dependent on colony size as you are killing such a
large patch of brood that otherwise might overwhelm a
smaller hygienic colony causing it to test negative.
Once you get such a large patch of brood killed,
division of labor plays a much bigger role.

But I have been using the pin prick method and have
found that there was no difference in testing results
between large colonies and nucs.  In fact, a similar
number of smaller colonies tested positive as did
larger.   This is the method Bob Russell from NZ uses
and has mentioned that he sees no difference in
testing due to strength.

Joe



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