From: "klbees" <kytl@chevron.com>
Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 18:07:00 -0000
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: cell size measurement (Size of Queens)

Allen asks:
> "then how can queens raised by small comb bees differ from queens
> raised by bees on large comb?"

Dee suggests:
> "Then doesn't the genetics change slightly with each mating as the
> small more variable pulls the big artificial less variable apart to
> acclimatize ?"

Whether genetics change or not depends on your breeding strategy.

Bees raised on small comb can only differ genetically as they are
selected for specific traits. This means culling the colonies or
queens that do not have the traits selected for. For instance, if we
select for mite resistance, the mite susceptible colonies are allowed
to die naturally. Or we can do mite counts and select for the low
count winners; the colonies with high mite counts are moved out of
the breeding yard. To get more variable genetics most of us need to
import a variety of stock (think of brother Adam) or pick up feral
colonies.

For Dee, culling is a regular practice. Culling, breeding from
ferals, selecting, and disposing of undesired queens is a high art
form for Dee and Ed. The change in genetics does not occur with each
mating, but only by selecting queens and drones for each mating. A
few years ago Dee and Ed let many colonies perish to select for mite
resistant survivors. If I understand correctly, for the Lusby's,
selection nowdays is carefully controlled by their intervention.

For me, and possibly for Allen, selection is not occuring. Every
colony is important and poor ones will be re-queened with a queen
that may be purchased from another breeder. Even home-raised queens
will have the same genetics as their parents unless I invest in
multiple colonies, acquire a variety of genetic stock, ruthlessly
cull poor queens and breed from the best.

Survivability on small-cell comb is not hard to come by. From what
I've read, some bees will abscond from 4.9 mm foundation. But my
package bees took to it readily and did not die of cell-shock. There
was no selection or culling involved. From my limited experience,
there is no genetic change necessary to install or keep bees on 4.9
foundation. After all, it is in the "normal" size range, right?

Dee, I would wager that the genetics of your bees changes because of
your relentless selection, not because of the 4.9 foundation.

Genetics can change. Or maybe they will remain pretty constant.
GOOD LUCK to all bee breeders. I'm depending on you. :)

Kyle