From: "T & M Weatherhead" <queenbee@gil.com.au>
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 19:39:40 +1000
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Brood diseases

Clay wrote

> I don't think race is an issue also. I don't think cell size will in itself
> STOP bees from getting AFB. But by placing bees back on a more natural
> sizing would change the composition of the food in the cell the larvae feed
> upon making for a healthier bee. Which in turn would be able to defend
> better against sickness and disease.

This is a new angle. How does cell size suddenly change the composition of
the food. Royal jelly is made by the bees and I fail to see how the size of
the bee affects this. Nutrition of the bee could be a factor but where is
the proof that a bigger bee produces a lower quality royal jelly than a
smaller bee?

What happens when the diet is changed over to a mixture of honey and pollen?
How does cell size suddenly affect the nutrition of the honey collected or
the composition of the pollen i.e. amino acids etc.

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA