From: scott.novinger@airborne.com
Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 16:43:56 -0000
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: bee bobs

Hello All,

Dee:

In your response to Joel's question you wrote:

<For every degree of latitude change figure about a 2% size
difference in the size of the workerbee with corresponding difference
in size of cell width built for thorax, from which then all sizes and
body parts of the bees change.>

Question:

As stated, this is a 2% "difference" not just a 2% "decrease",
correct? I am wondering what you are using for your benchmark? Your
bees, or perhaps some standard that was determined many years ago?

You also wrote:

<Further, for every foot of altitude change relative to latitude
there is a corresponding change in the size of the workerbee also.>

Question:

Is this to say that for my latitude and altitude, 4.9 mm may not be
the optimum? Could it perhaps be larger or smaller? Is the 4.9 mm
"blueprint" just a way to get the bees started in the right direction
until they figure out their optimum cell size on their own?

I know that you've determined 4.9mm to be the optimum cell size for a
particular temperate zone, which includes both of our regions of the
country, however, I wonder if there is room for deviation based on
the statements you made in responding to Joel's question? For instance,
my climactic conditions vary greatly (latitude and altitude slightly)
from those in Arizona.

Thank you,

Scott