In a message dated 96-06-12 11:09:43 EDT, [log in to unmask]
(Adrian Wenner) writes:
 
>A check of the level of infestation revealed
>that the colony likely had only another month or so of life.
>
>   Has anyone else noticed that correlation?  If real, anyone finding a
>suddenly aggressive colony might inspect closely for varroa mites, using
>one or more of the eight known techniques (as listed in our June article in
>BEE CULTURE: P. 343).
 
   I haven't seen this, though I wouldn't be surprised.  Chalkbrood seems to
run along with varroa, too.  Once the brood is being seriously lost, most of
the bees will be old bees, hence more apt to sting.
 
   I have seen really nasty bees many times, after a light pesticide hit.
 Sevin will really make them ugly, and I think most of the organophosphates
will also.
 
[log in to unmask]    Dave Green,  PO Box 1200,  Hemingway,  SC
29554
 
Practical Pollination Home Page            Dave & Janice Green
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