Harsh winter region - Wisconsin...but mild winter in comparison to the norm.
4 colonies out of 14 to start Winter have very limited activity and 
plenty of remaining stores. 7 are very active and have run through all 
their stores and 3 have starved out by January 4th (all double deep 
boxes but that is irrelevant to the topic) . 7 were given supplemental 
feed in January.
Out of the 4 inactive colonies slow-playing their stores, three are 
locally mated queens (mutts) and one is a California Italian from a package.

Is Winter-hardiness a genetic trait that can get passed along?
I understand there are "strains" of bees that have "traits"...like 
Italians that tend to brood up very early in winter which is not a good 
trait in northern climates. Carniolans that brood up later, but then can 
catch up in brood production to the Italians in early spring, and 
Russians that tend to shut down significantly in winter and start 
later...which may be why they are more cranky.
Are their studies to suggest you can select this trait?
Frankly speaking, for Northern climate beeks, it's the #1 trait needed. 
If the bees cannot make it through winter without nursing them through 
it, then it's a fruitless endeavor breeding for other traits such as 
VSH, honey production, etc.
Simply getting them through a winter cannot be enough.


-- 
Kevin M

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