As said previously, I expected 30-40% winter loss, got zero
After feeding on Mar7 (N) and Mar 12 (S) I was able to make some
assessment of their strength. No frames pulled, too cool, no need
Feed was minimal, top bar drench, to carry C & tetra
(still 20-30 frames to burn in S)

Of the 10 (N) and 6 (S)
2 P, 3 F, 3 G, 8 GP or VG
I don't expect the poor to make it
yet last fall I thought the population in general was somewhat low

Somehow something is wrong here
The results are too good
Like the results of a "normal year"

If I hadn't seen all the other symptoms over the 3 years 
I might think that my VD control was a lot better than
I judged it to be
My impression is that the adult bee mortality this 
past winter was lower than average

For example, the stunted nuc
Q quit laying ~Sep 3
10 frames make up, 5K bees clinging, 5-6 frames laid
Total population ~ 80K late summer bees
But it's still alive, not a dead-out as it should be (rated poor)

I'm forced to the conclusion that
Vitaman C extends bee lifespan

dave

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