At 06:01 PM 10/30/2003, you wrote:
>In the UK we usually reckon on 64 degrees being the minimum necessary
>temperature.  Have there been any studies done on racial differences in
>mating temperatures?

I'm not aware of any studies on mating temperatures.  Most of the
literature I see quote 68-69F or 20C.  But I suspect you are right that it
may vary a bit by race.  The 68-69 rule of thumb has worked well for
judging when my Italians have had a good chance to mate.  It may well be a
bit lower with the NWC I raise now, but I haven't really put it to the
test.  The workers are generally more active at low temperatures than their
Italian neighbors, so I don't see any reason why the same would not hold
true for queens.

What breed(s) are common in the UK?  Here (Ohio) Italians tend to be the
most common, though according to some studies (done in Europe i think)
Carnolians or NWC are better suited for our winters.

-Tim

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