NeilV
02-21-2009, 02:29 PM
Okay, I suspect that this is stupid post but I generally don't let that stop me.
I read somewhere on here that efforts may be underway to select for Russian Bees that have an earlier spring buildup, since that is what many commericial beeks want. However, somebody inquired whether that could also decrease varroa resistance. I guess the real point/question was whether breeding Russians to act more like Italians could also result in a bee that also has the problems that Italians have dealing with Varroa. In that case, it arguably would save a lot of trouble to skip Russians altogether and work with Italian stock from the start.
That got me to thinking about what the behavior similarities and mite resistance differences between Russians and Carnies. Problem is, I've never kept Carnies and don't know anybody who has. So in addition to the inherent problems with me thinking, I also don't know what I'm thinking about for the most part.
Which leads me to my thoughts/questions:
1. Is there really an effort to select for Russians that build up earlier in the year?
2. Aren't Carnies similar to Russians in that they also build up later in the spring than most Italians?
3. In general terms, how does the mite resistance of Carnies compare to that of Russians?
4. If Carnies and Russians both have later spring buildup but Russians are better at dealing with mites, does that suggest that Russian bee frugal characteristics are not the cause of the bee's ability to deal with mites on their own?
5. For that matter, is there even universal agreement that Russian bees can handle the mites better than other varieties/races of bees?
I read somewhere on here that efforts may be underway to select for Russian Bees that have an earlier spring buildup, since that is what many commericial beeks want. However, somebody inquired whether that could also decrease varroa resistance. I guess the real point/question was whether breeding Russians to act more like Italians could also result in a bee that also has the problems that Italians have dealing with Varroa. In that case, it arguably would save a lot of trouble to skip Russians altogether and work with Italian stock from the start.
That got me to thinking about what the behavior similarities and mite resistance differences between Russians and Carnies. Problem is, I've never kept Carnies and don't know anybody who has. So in addition to the inherent problems with me thinking, I also don't know what I'm thinking about for the most part.
Which leads me to my thoughts/questions:
1. Is there really an effort to select for Russians that build up earlier in the year?
2. Aren't Carnies similar to Russians in that they also build up later in the spring than most Italians?
3. In general terms, how does the mite resistance of Carnies compare to that of Russians?
4. If Carnies and Russians both have later spring buildup but Russians are better at dealing with mites, does that suggest that Russian bee frugal characteristics are not the cause of the bee's ability to deal with mites on their own?
5. For that matter, is there even universal agreement that Russian bees can handle the mites better than other varieties/races of bees?