> One of the posters talked about about the sperm is ALWAYS mixed in the
> queens spermatheca..

I remember reading a paper in the 1980's that showed that sperm was mixed in
the spermatheca.  Haven't found it since.  The researcher had used cordovan
genes to show that the offspring was basically even.

> I have observed colonies which been gentle become aggressive over a period
> of weeks. Colonies using large amounts of propolis suddenly stop doing so.
A
> queen producing light colored workers start producing dark or mixed color
> workers.

As for the aggressive bit, we get changes in mood depending on what the bees
are working.  We can have bees on teatree or spotted gum and they are very
toey but the day after you shift them to another source, they are gentle as
lambs.

I can imagine the propolis bit depending on source and climatic conditions.

As for the changing in the colour of the bees?

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA

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