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 http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html