Hi all on BEE-L Peter Borst wrote: This is not easily understood by someone not familiar with your terminology. Normally, when one wants to broaden the genetic base, one imports bees from other geographic areas. Do you do this? Reply: No we do not. We use honeybees from our own geographic region in the feral. Do you think that geographic regions are small in genetics? Peter further wrote: When you say: "complex mongrels and hygridization peeled off" I don't think anyone has any idea what you are talking about. I certainly don't. It sounds like you are doing some sort of selection, but based on what characteristics, is not clear. Reply: Peter, I am talking retrogressive breeding here for areas of complex mongrelization where several races/strains of bees are determined to be. It should be a multi-step process beginning with separation of yellow races/strains from dark races/strains, followed by seperation of colour by caste size to be followed by separation of remaining bees by physical characteristics other than size. It is not an overnight process. Peter further wrote: How do you recognize a "complex mongrel" and how do you "peel off" hybridization? If you are sincere about wanting to contribute to the study of bee breeding you should try to use terms that other people can understand. Reply: A complex mongrel maybe obtained by the participation of three or more races/strains and one peels off hybridization by retrogressive breeding in a multi-tiered program over a span of several years. For more information please see Apiacta XXX, 20-29, 1995 Regards, Dee A. Lusby __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com