On Mon, 14 Feb 1994, William G Lord wrote:
 
> I am curious to know the opinions of the research community
> regarding the potential range of the Africanized bee on the east
> coast of the U.S.  I have seen a number of maps in the past, but
> the range seemed to vary.  The discussion of river valley ranging
> last week prompts this inquiry.  Do we have any definitive answers
> based on a South American model, or is such a model irrelevant in
> the U.S.?
>
> Thanks
>
> --
> William G Lord
> E-Mail  : wglord@franklin
> Internet: [log in to unmask]
> Phone   :
>
 
Quite irrelevant...and very much like talking about the weather, even
though there IS a bit we can do in this case. What with the % of frost days
increasing towards the 32'N, an effort to curtail migratory colonies
would be helpful. But by and large the projections change with each new
development. Check out the 1984 USDA report No. 519: AHB in the U.S.
Read scenario I, II, III, & IV. These reports bring to light the folly
of predicting ANYTHING about the AHB. I read one report on Andy's BeeBS
(BEEKEEPERS) that one man in Texas reported that the Africanized local
bee colony he worked with meant 25% more stings and 25% more propolis.
Quite a far cry from the killer bee. I think the Varroa and the AHB are
indicative of the lack of dissemination of current research (or lack of
the research itself). The diverse thoughts on the Varroa mite, for instance,
reminds me of the "authoritative" reports of a few years ago in that
there is a lot of room for ambiguity....I know a lot of N. Calif. beekeepers
who claim they don't treat for Varroa and that they don't suffer for it.
While I hear some discussions that blame every weak or dead hive on the
Varroa. Let's see what happens with the AHB...I won't be a bit surprised
if they are completely hybridized within 20 years and totally managed.
   Besides, I have a market for propolis something the AHB has a knack in
producing.
 
 
jrb