> This is what I observed in my operation in the winter of 2005/2006, the year before Hackenberg's debut.  Apparently independent of mites.

Also, in the initial news reports, they were saying mite levels were low. Well, they would be low in fall after a hard knockdown with Maverick or whatever. Also, sometimes colonies lose a lot of mites when the foragers die off. It seems to be a way that mites can distribute themselves, as well as a way that a colony rids itself of them. 

PLB

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm