Hi Marc & all > I doubt on average that queens in UK live longer than queens in US It is 'average' life length that would show distinct differences between US & UK. I would suggest that on average UK queens live a about a year longer, with breeder queens also lasting longer than 5 or 6 years when laying rate is curtailed. The long lived queens also sometimes get a little help from daughter queens laying alongside for a season or two, which takes the pressure off the older queen. > UK queens and an US queens setting side by side and managed > the same would average similar life spans. This could not really happen, as you would be hard pushed to manage such different colonies the same, or at least if you did... One or other of them is going to end up in a mess. Best Regards & 73s, Dave Cushman... G8MZY Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website Email: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman & http://www.dave-cushman.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::