Waldemar writes: Is there any data to support this? AHB moved through EHB territiry from Brazil all the way to the American South-West, and their defensive nature has not abated according to the reports. AHB produce drones quicker, earlier in the season and are reported to have the upper hand in mating. Reply: This is where our fight with Testing data bases, and how done comes into play (FABIS and others), and also another reason for SC field management(placing bees back onto a natural system). For Dr Shepard and others (Taylor comes to mind) have noted mating breakouts, which IMPOV is size related, so much have honeybees been upsized by LC foundations, to the detriment of races/strains for broader variability. You see change one word and "SCBs produce drones quicker, earlier in the season and are reproted to have the upper hand in mating.", or in this case one on one combat, besides making for gentlier bees to keep that are also mite tolerant and disease tolerant also. But added, now coloration starts to play a big part! Oh, the price of color. Respectfully submitted, Dee A. Lusby Small Cell Commercial Beekeeper Moyza, Arizona http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organicbeekeepers/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---