"James W. Hock" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:The bees are darker.

Late last fall, I found them foraging my syrup jugs on my deck in a driving rain.  

On several occasions, I've seen them foraging at 38 Degrees.  On a couple of occasions I found them out and on my deck at 28 degrees.  

Does anyone have any idea what breed/species/race my queens have been mating with?


Just a wag, but the colonists brought over the dark German bee with them.  It wasn't until the 1800's, I think, that the Italians were brought over.  It may be that you still have the dark German bee in feral colonies around the area with whom your queens have been mating.  The German bee was acclimated to the cold northern European winters.

Mike in LA

		
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