> Now that disappearing disease is becoming such a serious problem, the factor of longevity is vital. Disappearing disease I believe is a serious degeneration of breeding stock producing bees with a very short life span. Usually you will find such colonies contain mostly young bees. When these bees reach field bee stage, they just fly out and never return. They don't live long enough to make the return trip. Queens are much more than egg laying machines, they are the mothers of entire colonies. The queen must be capable of making not only more bees, but stronger, better bees with a longer life span. <

-- 
"Honeybee Longevity"
Charles Mraz. June 1977
American Bee Journal

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