> Killing brood by the pin prick method is not a valid method in my > opinion but can be done for a primitive test. The reason being the > wound left by the pin releases an odor /signal for removal by the > bees. This argument was used when the knowledge about hygienic behaviour was that the fenomena was controlled by 2-3 genes. We know today that 7 genes are involved. We don't really know what we are testing or what we are not testing (by a pin/freezing test). I know that the document I propose one should look at is in swedish, but the graphs on pages 3 and 4 clearly shows that the results from pin test and freezing test correlate. The pin test WILL DO. And it's much faster, less labor intensive and makes possible to compute exact numbers (comparable data). Take a look at: http://www.quicknet.se/home/q-119076/BONUS/HYG/stjalpa.pdf frysdödat = killed by freezing nåldödat = killed by a pin tid(timmar) = time(hours) tomma celler = empty cells Having the document on the screen, take a look at page 6 too. To get "hygienic bees" takes time. \vov -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---