> >I am quite certain that the feral population here consists of escaped
> commercial hives. Joe's circumstances may be different in Southern PA, what
> I have described would hold for much or most of NY state.
>

Thanks, Pete.  It helps greatly to know the details for any area that claims
to have a feral population.

In my queenrearing areas, the situation is very different, with the only
commercial beekeeper being me.

Would the situation that you described apply to the Arnot Forest from which
Dr Seeley has described feral colonies?

And how long does the typical escaped commercial swarm survive in your area?

And Joe, could you please describe the degree of commercial bee influx in
your area during swarming season?

Randy Oliver

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