> One more question perhaps someone can answer: If 26 so-called queens did
this, spreading so much, then what happened to all the imported stuff into
the USA, and/or bees that were given out from Kellys Island, and why haven't
they taken hold also? If not, then what is the problem with so-called AHBs
for dilution?

from
"Mechanisms that Favor the Continuity of the African Honeybee Genome in the
Americas", by Stanley S. Schneider and Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman


No single factor determines the ability of African bees to displace European
bees.  The continuity of the African genome in the Americas arises from a
complex interaction of population dynamics, genetic phenomena, and
physiological and behavioral mechanisms.  

1) African-patriline advantages during queen replacement; 

2) differential use of African and European sperm by queens; 

3) nest usurpation by African swarms; 

4) decreased developmental stability in hybrid workers. 

Each of these factors may be involved in the asymmetrical gene flow between
African and European populations and contribute to the prevalence of African
bees in areas that were once dominated by European honeybees. 

These are only some of the factors that favor the retention of the African
honeybee genome in the Americas.  Our research suggests that, in addition to
factors that directly increase survival and reproductive success, the
invasion of the African honey bee has involved more subtle behavioral
mechanisms (queen behavior; worker-queen interactions; reproductive
parasitism) that may contribute to asymmetrical gene flow between African
and European populations.  

 

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