Bob, I'm familiar with the Pirk paper (and every other study that has
investigated the effect of reduced postcapping duration upon varroa
reproductive success). In lots of papers, things just get tossed in for
good measure.
As I was preparing my mite model, I discussed this issue with Dr Stephen
Martin, who published the attached graph in Fight the Mite. When you do
the math, knocking off the last possible daughter (of the three that could
potentially emerge from a full 12-day postcapping duration) just doesn't
make much difference in varroa reproductive success.
--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com
***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html