In a message dated 16/08/2009 13:05:44 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<The people on the hygienic side will say the bees are  opening the cells 
and 
pulling varroa. If so then why the shotgun pattern?  It is true apis cerana 
leaves a hole in its drone brood for this reason. I  see very little of 
this 
in apis mellifera ( some for sure) but a bunch of  pulling late stage 
pupae. 
researchers say the pupae is ate by the bees but  not what I have observed. 
I 
see bees starving pulling late stage pupae and  eating but in a normal hive 
it seems the pupae is simply removed from the  hive. The cell is tied up 
for 
days. Royal jelly and nurse bee labor is  wasted.

The above is my opinion .

Let the roar  begin!

bob>>


    Shotgun brood is correct; hygienic behaviour has to  reduce the number 
of bees in the colony somewhat. Innumerable pupae are removed  over a 
season, yet mite numbers remain significant, increasing slowly, at least  in my 
hives. As far as I can see, hygeinic behaviour prevents mites from  breeding, 
without harming them. How long can such a mite survive, and remain  capable 
of breeding?
 
    I have occasionally seen pupae thrown out of the  hives, but far more 
often I see them half-eaten, still in the cells. I use  bottoms I make 
myself, with a reduced entrance half an inch or so above the  mesh. This may be a 
mistake, as dead bees tend to build up rather, mainly in  winter. Eventually 
they're removed, as the hive builds up strength. Since I  don't take the 
boxes off the bottoms very much this time of year, it's quite  possible that 
quantities of pupae may be left in the hives without my knowledge.  Either 
way, the bits usually end up on the trays I have underneath the mesh.  

Regards,

Robert Brenchley
Birmingham  UK


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