[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> Hello all;
>
> Here in Virginia we are having a spell of "spring" weather
> (today nearly 70 F) so I took the opportunity to check my 10
> hives. All seemd good and strong and were actively flying.
> Some will need some more feed, so I'll get it on right away.
> Here's the strange part -- In the 3 hives that I went thru frame by
> frame, I found both capped and young, uncapped brood.  Another
> local beekeeper told me that a week or so ago, when he set up
> a hive that had been overturned by the wind, he found brood in it.
> Temperatures then were quite low -- 20s F at night, maybe 40s F
> during the day. We both were surprised to find brood rearing
> going on at this time of year.
>
> Just though I'd add this to the discussion, FWIW.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Fred
>
> Augusta County, Virginia
 
I have been performing two simultaneous research projects: one on
parasitic mites and one on supplemental feeding (results will be
published soon). One of the projects may have an influence on brood
formation, hence I thought that I would mention some of my findings
at this time since it seems appropriate.
As an introduction, I would like to state that it was my impression that
nectar was the most important stimulating egg-laying factor for queens.
I started my supplemental feeding program in August (as soon as the
floral presence declined) and thought that queens would continue to lay
on through the end of the fall but that was not the case. Egg laying
activity decreased in proportion to scarcity of flowers.  I thought also
that perhaps length of daylight would be a predominat factor. At this
time, I must confess that I still do not know which is the most
important egg-laying stimulating factor, judging by my observations with
my local hives in Virginia Beach. I started to see my bees bringing back
pollen about the fiftenth of December and soon after the queens started
laying. Today, (29 December 96), I observed brood patterns about 3-4
inches in diameter. Not bad for temperate climate on this date! Since I
continued to feed a very rich feed supplement (no pollen present) and
the queens stopped laying completely from the end of October to about
mid December, (when I observed the first foraging of pollen) I am
inclined to think that pollen must have a very strong influence on egg
laying.
Dr. Pedro P. Rodriguez
Virginia Beach, Virginia