From: Joe Waggle <joe9360@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 07:32:41 -0700 (PDT)
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Hygienic Behaviour. Grooming Station?

Hello All,

A while back in response to some posts saying that the
size difference between 4.9 bees and "standard" size
bees should be clearly distinguishable especially in
the abdomen. I went out to the beeyard to see for
myself. Jumping between landing boards of 4.9 hives
and "standard" hives I noticed on a landing board of
one of my Russian hives what appeared at to be 4 or 5
guard bees expelling an intruder. Upon closer
inspection it proved not to be the case. The bee in
the center was making very exaggerated movements with
it's mandibles and the other bees were vigorously
cleaning the bee. I laid down on the grass and rested
my nose on the side of the landing board and watched
this go on for about a minute or so. The communication
involved here is fascinating to me.
As soon as the bee quit the mandible movements all the
bees stopped and just walked into the hive. Soon after
that a guard bee came out to convince me that the
observation was over. Is this hygienic behavior a
reason for mite resistance in the Russians? Or unique
to the Russians? What is it that makes the Russians
"more resistant" to the mites than other types of
bees?

Regards,

Joe PA-USA