From: Erik Osterlund <honeybee@elgon.se>
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 10:29:12 +0100
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: cell size measurement

At 17.06 +0000 02-01-02, klbees wrote:
> .... I would be
>interested in the range of measurements that exists for scutellata.
>This is the most reliable "Natural Cell Size" data we can hope for.
> .... A.m. monticola?

When in Kenya 1989, without being aware of the importance of the cell size
issue (if so I would measured moore) I have a couple of measurements of
Monticola, 2500 m (8000 feet) on Mt Elgon 4.6 mm, 4000 m (13000 feet, cliff
above tree level) 4.8 mm. There would be great possibilities to measure
African sizes as few use foundation there. There well may be some places in
Asia, as this place in southern Thailand, but probably not isolated very
long from stock reared on large foundation.

The swarms in Arizona are interesting. Arizona is said ny some to be
totally Africanized. But the temper of the swarms taken there are mostly
not of that characteristic you've heard of their temper, but some are
similar to that. But then where do'nt you find swarms with bad temper? The
swarms I measured when there recently ranged wintin themsleves from well
below 5.0mm to well above, with smallest in brood area. Most probably those
swarms did not originate from domestic colonies as those mainly are kept
with large cell size foundation. Though Lusby's are beginning to influence
the Arizona beekeepers somewhat in that a growing number use 4.9
foundation. So these swarms most probably originate from "wild" or feral
colonies, but probably influenced by domestic ones. The wide range of color
indicates that. Anyhow the cell size ranged so that it confirmed Cowan and
old measurements. Could be due to enough much influence from real feral
colonies of old or wanderers from south, so called AHB, but temper was okey
enough to handle without even veil and just some smoke.....

Erik