In a message dated 23/12/2006 04:40:44 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<<Because beekeepers are now seeing survivor Italians tending to be darker.
Does this suggest that the feral Italians are leading the recovery in this
race? IF it were a domestic honeybee led recovery, wouldn't one expect the
yellow Italian types to be noticed as the survivors?>>
What sort of climate do you have? Being in the UK I'm no good at US
conditions. There have been numerous anecdotal reports here over the years about
strains getting darker with time; for instance, I remember reading somewhere that
UK bees got darker during World War II, when of course imports were
impossible. I've always assumed the likelihood of selection against at least some of
the inherited characteristics. What could be going on in your area?
Regards,
Robert Brenchley
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