>Not sure what you mean by crash.  Do you mean decrease in population
suddenly, or die suddenly?

Yes, meant major decrease in population post a summer honey flow.

>
> >If you mean decrease in size, we've noticed that hives that plug out,
> especially on a heavy flow with little or poor pollen often dwindle and/or
> die in late fall or winter.


Did this occur prior to varroa?  I am curious as to observations in the
absence of varroa.


> > This is due to lack of replacement bees as nectar storage out-competes
> the queen for cell space during the crucial ending fall brood cycles.
>

I completely understand.  I was wondering whether this caused noticeable
population crash problems prior the the arrival of varroa.

>Reportedly, Ozzies have been known to pull hives off good flows which lack
good pollen due to the cost in terms of bee life and vigour.

Colonies foraging on white box are notable for this.  I should have been
more specific.  My question to Aussie beekeepers (feel free to respond off
List) is whether this occurs after a *summer* main flow.

Lurkers, please help me out here!

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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