Beekeepers:

A summary of Dr. Gerald Loper’s remarks at the Northwest Corner Fall
Conference was presented in the Nov/Dec newsletter of the Oregon State
Beekeepers Association. Dr. Loper had some interesting observations on
feral bees in Arizona. He stated that on average, prior to the arrival of
mites, feral colonies survived 3 ½ years.

The last genetic data he had was from December 1998. It appears that about
85% of surviving colonies were AHB. These had repopulated nest sites to
about 35% of the European Honey Bee level.

At the worst of the Varroa infestation, instead of 3 ½ years, swarms were
only living about six months. He says the length of survival has been
gradually increasing to at least 1 ½ years on average.

Regards,
Dick