In a message dated 21/09/2010 03:15:17 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Are there any statistics that compare the average tongue length of each
type of bee? I was not aware that Apis Mellifera would have a materially
different tongue length to say Apis Cerana. If that is the case then is it
not possible that red clover (as cited) depends on a different insect or
method for pollination?
Ruttner says "Short tongued stocks of the Dark race have an average
proboscis length of 5.8 - 6.2 mm; long tongues Carniolan stocks up to 6.6 or
6.8mm. In practice however, this small measurable difference can lead to very
considerable differences in harvest, especially in districts with plenty of
Red Clover. As a rule, honey harvests from red clover can only be obtained
with long tongued races, such as the Carniolan."
Chris
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