Thank you Andrew, it is fascinating to hear how different the behaviour of
different strains of bee are in the same location.
I collect swarms from up to 20 miles away, so none of my hives have the same
genetics, though they presumably blend together a lot after a few years /
generations in the same area. I see variations in those, for example I used to
have one colony which was mild towards me but hated the lawnmower, which they
would attempt to attack vigorously if it was roaring and vibrating near them
(but not me pushing it). However the variation you describe is at the limits of
what I've seen.
Re: absconding colony: as I understand it, colonies have to be under a lot of
pressure to abandon their stores, babies and painstakingly constructed
comb.Were they being robbed by the larger colonies? Another possibility is they
went queenless and survivors merged with one of the others, as Margaret [we
think] saw with two sister colonies; though that's less likely as your bees are
not closely related.
On the subject of how colonies vary: one thing that intrigues me is aggression
in bees. Why does it occur when 2 different strains are crossed - what's the
genetic mechanism? Why do people say "it's carried by the drones" - I think
that is deeply flawed reasoning by people trying to establish non native bees
and being surprised when local bees mate with theirs. You may as well say it is
carried by beekeepers using foreign strains. Another thing is apparent, that
most (not all) bees people say are vicious seem quite docile when in the care
of low-intervention beeks. So there are obviously a lot of myths here. I hope
to find out more on this subject at the Learning From The Bees conference where
there will be a wide variety of international beekeepers and researchers.
Paul
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
On 29 August 2018 5:45 PM, Andrew Bax <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Paul asked me for a progress report on the bees I inadvertently imported.
The Mellifera package was hived in a new TBH and now has 12 full combs
covered in bees. They are moderately and constantly active.
The Carniolan package now occupies two full Warre boxes. It has always been
extremely active and prone to flushes of exuberance in which a great many
bees pour out of the hive on what seems to be an orientation flight, and
cover the front of the hive; it lasts about 20 minutes and they did it today.
I also have a colony in a Warre which has survived several generations and
swarmed this year. Although that, too, covers two full boxes, the bees are
worryingly inactive. Those bees that are flying are still bringing in pollen.
In another Warre I also hived a small swarm; a few weeks later I united it
with a further swarm. They seemed to be getting along swimmingly but after
three weeks they absconded.
I have extracted honey from all three occupied hives and will be feeding them.
Andrew
