[log in to unmask] writes:

the real  question is how many of the younger bees are 
infected and what the  potential for  their becoming infected might be.
 
I agree with Allen - when N. ceranae starts to show up in young bees is  
when you're likely to see real problems.  When we first sampled CCD  colonies, 
we grabbed older bees.  
 
For our research, we now always take two samples, one of older bees - which 
 is most likely to give you a First Alert, and
 
One of young bees from the brood nest - which is the best warning that the  
infection has spread and things are getting to be critical.  This is when  
you're likely to see bees go off feed, refuse to take medicine, etc.
 
And, 25 bees per sample is a minimum if you want a representative sample,  
and more is always better - i.e., 50.
 
Also, individual colonies and/or pallets may be heavily infected, but not  
their neighbors - but that's not likely to last long.  From a standpoint of  
efficiency, I agree with Randy, assess yards.  
 
However, if you really want to understand the dynamics, have options for  
selection of breeder queens, you want colony by colony data, at least in a 
few  yards.
 
Jerry






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