Date: Dec 15 2000 22:00:22 EST
From: "Helmut,E.Garz" <hommes@olympus.net>
Subject: Re: regressing bees

Ok, lets go and back up a bit.
I have NO experience in retrogression of foundation!!!! And Bees.
Therefore I am the last person to give advise. BUT somehow, and don't
ask how come, my strain of bees, which is a horrendous mix of northern
races (Wild, Carnica, Caucasian and Italians) have reduced the worker
brood cell size all on their own and there is still a question mark to
measurement. In any case it is closer to 4.9 m/m than to 5.2 plus
something. This all occurred whilst not looking and unaware of the debate.
You would be advised to read the manuscripts of sound knowledge and
experience by Dee Lusbee on the <beesourse.com> web sites, specifically
the posts on comb size/ retrogression.
Your bees, being conditioned to the larger measure to my humble
opinion, would not react to the smaller measure since the girls do
whatever they fit and are used to do. But I would start on an
experimental basis with a strip of wax first and see what develops. But
to be accurate and get results, I would follow the advise and
procedure of the Dee L.
Happy beeing
Helmut