Re: Article Entitled: The influence of brood comb cell size on the
reproductive behavior of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in
Africanized honey bee colonies by Giancarlo A. Piccirillo and D. De Jong

Snips from abstract....Three types (sizes) of brood combs were placed in
each of six Africanized honey
bee colonies: new (self-built) Africanized comb, new Italian comb (that
the bees made from Italian-sized
commercial foundation), and new Carniolan comb (built naturally by
Carniolan bees). About 100 cells of
each type were analyzed in each colony. The Africanized comb cells were
significantly smaller in (inner)
width (4.84 mm) than the European-sized comb cells (5.16 and 5.27 mm for
Italian and Carniolan cells,
respectively)....The brood cell infestation rates (percentage cells
infested) were significantly higher in the
Carniolan-sized comb cells (19.3%) than in the Italian and Africanized
cells (13.9 and 10.3%, respectively).
European-sized worker brood cells were always more infested than the
Africanized worker brood cells in
the same colony....The small width comb cells produced by Africanized
honey bees may have a role in the ability of these bees to tolerate
infestations by Varroa destructor, furthermore it appears that
natural-sized comb cells are superior to over-sized comb cells for
disease resistance....



There has been considerable discussion previously about the benefits of
downsizing cell size. The above statements certainly suggest that
Africanized bees are best kept on small (4.8 mm) cell size. Yet the
statements also imply that Italian bees are best kept on medium (5.1 mm)
and Carniolan bees are best kept on larger (5.3 mm) cell size. Am I
interpreting correctly or over emphasizing the implications? I would
appreciate any thoughts or facts. The full subject article may be found at:

http://www.funpecrp.com.br/gmr/year2003/vol1-2/gmr0057_full_text.htm

Thanks.


Wade
--
Web Site:  http://www.honeyhillfarm.com

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