Hello Kathy & All, > trying to change the AHB? Make it more docile? All the researchers I have spoke with are not interested in breeding programs using AHB. In doing research for my last article I went back fifty years of articles on AHB in ABJ & Bee Culture. Some of the predictions of 30-40 years ago by researchers were way off what really happened. Others were right on. Basically I learned a 25% or less AHB is workable. With the higher percent of africanization *usually* comes a higher amount of what the average beekeeper sees as undesirable traits. Aggressive behavior is not the worst AHB trait commercial beekeepers worry about. AHB genetics are a mixed bag. AHB could certainly be improved through selection and instrumental insemination. Most U.S. commercial beekeepers believe the best AHB control is to keep your queen stock free of AHB genetics. Open mating with AHB can (and does most of the time) produce hot hives but your drone stock is still E.U. Once you get AHB genetics in your queen line then your whole apiary will see a rise in AHB undesirable traits within a few generations of AHB drone matings. The three most undesirable known AHB traits for the commercial beekeeper would be constant swarming (up to 16 times a year), absconding ( in periods after a honey flow)and aggressive behavior. Hawaii & Australia could hold the key for AHB free genetics. Some of us are looking years ahead into the future of beekeeping. Others have got their head stuck in the sand. Allen Dick once said on BEE-L about progress. " You can lead, follow or get the hell out of the way" Bob -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---