George Williams <[log in to unmask]> wrote: What I'm concerned with, is that these ladies are more or less Russian or some other strain that won't buildup fast enough in the spring for the citrus bloom. Superceding has been an ongoing phenomena for me this season Aren't Caucasian bees dark and/or grey? If of Russian derivation, might try open feeding dilute sugar syrup and pollen substitute about a month and a half before the orange blossom season begins. Some of beekeepers in the south west part of Alabama are having trouble with supercedure and queenlessness. And it doesn't even seem to have any correllation between old drawn brood frames (contamination?) and newly drawn brood frames where no treatment has been given. Haven't found any causes yet. We're looking and trying to find cause/s but, having no hypothesis, it's kinda hard. Mike in LA (Lower Alabama) --------------------------------- Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---