I was out yesterday unwrapping my bees and as often happens when in a
solitary situation, my mind started working at all kinds of things.
 
More on the bees later, but this question came up in relation to some
ideas learned in a talk given by K. Delaplane. . .
 
Apparently on of the methods that shows promise in dealing with varroa is
to select bees that have a shorter capped period for the brood.  Bees
show some variability in this trait.
 
Now everyone is thinking that a shorter capped period is tha same as a
shorter total development time -- at least I was.
 
And thus total development time could be used as an indicator, because it
is much easier to monitor.)
 
This has to be proven, but seems logical, unless some bees delay capping
until later and/or the pupal time (only) is shorter.
 
Some bees might also rest a while longer after pupating.  I notice some
bees emerge whiter (and thus less developed) than others.
 
However I am wondering: why do bees cap cells with varroa in them?
 
Do the varroa slip in *while* the bees are capping the brood?  Bees tend
to work in shifts at things like that and there would be opportunity for
the little rascals to sneak in when no one is 'looking'.
 
Or do bees just not notice the mites in there?
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
Email:   [log in to unmask]    or   [log in to unmask]
Virtual Art Gallery: http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka
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