>> On the other hand, some beekeepers report high turnover of introduced queens during the first few months after introduction.  This is an entirely different subject.

>This is the subject we are discussing. But you can't discuss supersedure without referencing the potential lifespan of the queen. 

If you believe that your misreading a lot of good information.   Dr. Tarpys work showed no differences based on details we know.  To make that leap to  poor queens from commercial beeks  takes a leap of mental gymnastics that would make  Nadia proud.


I have a friend whos a member here, and reads constantly,  hes also One of Gene Robinsions grads.  He has mentioned several times that when they move to a region in WI for some reason the hives want to supercede.  We also know that  swarms and packages do it on a regular basis, no matter the queen condition,  and that we suspect that brood pheromones are a big trigger.

All points of good discussion.  One thing that is perfectly clear in this thread is there is a lot of speculation about the methods used by larger scale producers.  I have been in Mnay yards,  and am still not the best to detail them,  but  I am always impressed with the work going on no one notices.

RE larval selection.  Many of them wash the frames out with running water after a graft,  then  pick that same frame 3 days later,  assured that any larva in the frame is no more than the age they want.

Charles

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