Hi all

> The references I've found say 68 or 69 degrees
> minimum.

With respect these temperatures refer to the formation of drone
assemblies (drone congregation areas) and are not relevant to
whether mating is possible or not (the original question).

Drone assembly occurs in major and minor forms and is the
mechanism used when conditions allow, however much late
supercedure mating occurs by the mechanism of Apiary Vicinity
Mating (AVM) rather than DCA.

In UK our late supercedure queens get mated in temperatures much
lower than quoted (I do not know any precise limits) but it can
certainly happen at 10 deg C (50 deg F).

However there are big differences between UK and US bee stock
genetics.

 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

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