To my suggestion >> What about absconding from varroa riddled colonies, with a dwindled >> workforce? Peter Edwards asked >Would they abscond as a swarm, or just disperse? Could these just be mating >swarms where queens are superseding? I have had mated queens in very small swarms. One came to a cottage chimney recently, and taken to my home by the owner (lent a bee suit and nuc and with d.i.y. instructions to smoke out) barely covered 2 14"x8" frames. Autumn (fall) is a good time for this absconding on account of varroa numbers and parallels the starvation absconding occasionally reported. -- James Kilty -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---