George Imirie,
In your post you stated a problem with interracial breeding of an Italian
and Carniolan cross. Please expand on what problems could happen with this
cross. I have been reaing queens for myself for 4 years and selling some to
selected beekeepers in the local organization. I keep getting more and more
demands for the queens, which are Carniolans. Even though I use drone
foundation and set up drone mother colonies, I realize that open mating
allows the Carnioln queen access to a larger population of Italian drones
in the congration area. Most beekeepers within a 1-mile radius use Italians.
Will this cross create unfavorable traits within the hives. I have not seen
anything, so far that appears to be inadequite; but, I want to try to head
off any future probles.

Frank Wyatt
Eden, NC

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