Re the Berry/Delaplane study.
Now that I've read the entire study, and corresponded with the author, I'd
like to comment.
The study clearly demonstrates that varroa reproduction is not impeded by
small cell wax foundation or drawn comb.
However, the study has two shortcomings that I wish it had addressed:
1. The longest trial duration was 40 weeks, and ended in June, prior to the
expected varroa peak in Sept.
2. The authors state: "It is worth noting that Varroa densities in this
study (3.3–5.1 mites per 100 bees, Tab. I) were not within the action
threshold of ca. 13 mites per 100 bees shown for the region by Delaplane and
Hood (1999).
What does this mean? Well, small cell proponents are mainly concerned with
colony survival over the course of years, regardless of the reason, and they
feel that small cell has something to do with it. This study did not
address colony survival, nor did it run for a full season.
Secondly, the mite levels never got very high during the trial period. I
could play Devil's Advocate and say that small cell effects don't kick in
until mite levels rise.
Now, Pete, before you reply, let me say that this study was excellent and
well done. However, if it had only run for a few more months, it might have
been definitive and conclusive. It clearly demonstrated that during the
duration tested, and at the mite levels tested, small cell did not slow
varroa reproduction, and indeed appeared to actually increase it!
Let me further confuse the issue. After my trial of HoneySuperCell combs, I
restocked the deadouts (I later learned that they collapsed due to an
unusual situation in the almonds in which the field force simply drifted to
other colonies--the same thing happened the next year with two new drops of
bees in the same locations).
I have since run those HSC colonies scattered throughout my operation, and
in general have avoided giving them mite treatments. I have not followed
mite levels or taken other measurements--I've simply neglected them.
However, it continually amazes us how well those colonies survive and
perform in the long term without treatment.
The HSC combs do have drawbacks (weight, flexibility, and difficulty
splitting the boxes or lids), but the dang colonies just keep chugging along
and making honey!
So I don't know what's up. If it's not due to the cell size, then perhaps
the plastic outgassing is affecting the mites, or who knows what. In any
case, I feel that it is of interest to figure out what mechanism of HSC
combs promotes colony survival. We might learn something important about
varroa control.
Has anyone else on the List had experience with HSC combs that they would
like to share (on or off list)?
Randy Oliver
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