Re: Article Entitled: The influence of brood comb cell size on the reproductive behavior of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in Africanized honey bee colonies by Giancarlo A. Piccirillo and D. De Jong Snips from abstract....Three types (sizes) of brood combs were placed in each of six Africanized honey bee colonies: new (self-built) Africanized comb, new Italian comb (that the bees made from Italian-sized commercial foundation), and new Carniolan comb (built naturally by Carniolan bees). About 100 cells of each type were analyzed in each colony. The Africanized comb cells were significantly smaller in (inner) width (4.84 mm) than the European-sized comb cells (5.16 and 5.27 mm for Italian and Carniolan cells, respectively)....The brood cell infestation rates (percentage cells infested) were significantly higher in the Carniolan-sized comb cells (19.3%) than in the Italian and Africanized cells (13.9 and 10.3%, respectively). European-sized worker brood cells were always more infested than the Africanized worker brood cells in the same colony....The small width comb cells produced by Africanized honey bees may have a role in the ability of these bees to tolerate infestations by Varroa destructor, furthermore it appears that natural-sized comb cells are superior to over-sized comb cells for disease resistance.... There has been considerable discussion previously about the benefits of downsizing cell size. The above statements certainly suggest that Africanized bees are best kept on small (4.8 mm) cell size. Yet the statements also imply that Italian bees are best kept on medium (5.1 mm) and Carniolan bees are best kept on larger (5.3 mm) cell size. Am I interpreting correctly or over emphasizing the implications? I would appreciate any thoughts or facts. The full subject article may be found at: http://www.funpecrp.com.br/gmr/year2003/vol1-2/gmr0057_full_text.htm Thanks. Wade -- Web Site: http://www.honeyhillfarm.com :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::