"These drones did not seem inclined or able to fly. "

Hi All
I am not sure of this, and I cannot seem to find anything on this on the
web.  Is there not a recessive gene that rears its head in some colonies
that results in drones that cannot fly?  I have heard about this from a
fellow beekeeper who I am not able to get hold of to check with.  Does
anybody else know anything else about this.
This gene would obviously disappear after becoming obvious because these
drones would not be able to distribute their genes.
Just thinking about the scenario leads me to think that this phenomenon
could possibly arise from varroa damage.  Varroa feeding on drone pupae may
harm them to the extent that they are unable to fly.
I am surprised nobody has yet brought this up, maybe I am missing something
here.
Regards,
Paul Collett
Makana Meadery/Department of Entomology, Rhodes University
Grahamstown
South Africa
www.iqhilika.co.za
A.m. capensis
A.m.scutellata
810mm annual precipitation

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::