I don't know of any study that compared the 2 specific conditions you mention, but Dr. Tibor Szabo, Agric. Cda. Research Stn Beaverlodge Alberta (now at Guelph Univ. Ontario) did 2 years of tests to determine the maximum distance that queens (from small, droneless nucs) would fly to connect with drones. The nucs were distributed in a forest with no honey bees, at varying distances from normal apiaries. Perhaps someone can quote the reference to the published article, or other details, but my recollection is that queens within 10 km were usually well inseminated, then there was a zone of less complete mating, to a further 10 km. One queen was well mated at about 20 km. Queen breeders have observed that nucs with virgin queens will attract drones from nearby colonies. Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask]