>> The Primorsky Russians in the USA are a very different bee from what
>> you would find if you just grabbed any old queen in Eastern Russia.
>
> I understand. The USA imports was a young queen, but still - it was
> probably a dother of some old queen in Eastern Russia. You will
> probably imply that by breeding and selection was made some kind
> of a "miracle". In that case this kind of "miracle" should be possible
> to make with all kind of bees.

That is correct.  This selection is possible with any strain of bees,
but some are more promising for quick reasults.  Bees from a
long-challenged area would seem more likley than others.  As you
mention, there is considerable diversity in bees in the Primorsky area.

> As I could understand you can buy primorsk bees in many flavors
> (lines/strains). Carniolan, ligustica etc. I can't understand how is
> it possible to make in few years a carniolan or ligustica bee from a
> bastard.

I don't think that anyone is claiming that.  The selected strains in the
US -- 20 lines, I believe -- is dark and has carniolan characteristics,
but I don't think anyone has claimed that it is a pure type.  Also, the
amount of stock in the US should allow for closed breeding for 20 years,
but after that???

Here are some references that might be helpful in understanding this
question.  The first deals with the Russian Project:
http://msa.ars.usda.gov/la/btn/hbb/
http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/bkCD/HBBiology/breeding_genetics.htm
http://www.beeculture.com/beeculture/digital/2002/column40.htm

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/
former beekeeper, now unemployed.

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