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From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 21:28:22 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Size of honey and drone combs
Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping
Micky wrote:
> Have you measured honey
[drone] comb? Are drones bigger than they used
> to be? Is naturally drawn honey comb and drone comb the
same size?
Reply:
Since 1934 it has been written
that the size of the drone cells built by
bees always bears a constant ratio to the size of the worker
cells, as do
queen cells. That ratio is 3,4,5. In a given measurement for
5 worker cells,
you would find 4 drone cells or 3 queen cells.
Change the size of the worker
cells and you automatically change the size of
the other two. Because of this you therefore change genetics,
by changing
natural mating parameters relative to flight, which is also linked
to
latitude and altitude, which helps to govern race/strains.You
also change
nutritional requirements of the bees and capacity to pollenate
and forage
for food which has bearing upon our bees health.
There are two main types of
cells built within a colony of honeybees. By far
the larger portion of cells in a hive will be found to be workerbrood
comb
cells, which may be used for rearing worker-brood or for storing
honey or
pollen. A smaller amount of cells will be found to be drone-cells
and may
be used for rearing drone-brood or for storing honey -- but seldom
for
pollen. (this here concerning worker and drone cells was written
about in
1913 by A.I. and E.R. Root in the ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture)
So to answer your question,
"Are drones bigger than they used to be?" Well,
Micky, yes they are, along with workers and queens also! By changing
our
worker combs bigger, to closer to drone cell size, we have reduced
the
natural pollen foraged and brought into our colonies, thus necessating
artificial feeding.
I could probably go on here,
but I think you will get the point made. Many
things have changed relative to the changing of cell size concerning
our
honeybees.
Chow
Dee
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