Hi Dave & all

A question or two, if I may.

I would assume, without knowing for sure, that varroa mites are sized
the same in South Africa as elsewhere in the world. Then accept that
today our "natural" wild scutellata swarms construct cells between 4.3
and 4.7mm - of own choice. Surely that would seriously inhibit varroa
propogation?  I would say that any wild swarm here, if properly
examined, would exhibit varroa. If varroa can complete its breeding in
these smaller cells, they would, ipso facto, make it in 4.9mm cells? Or
are the varroa here only using drone brood?

Barry Sergeant
Kyalami
South Africa