mating flights

[tonybloke]

Well, that's interesting ...

... and with the drones (and I've just learned that there can be several involved with any one queen) supplying half of the genes - that suggests that any attempt to breed 'a pure strain' will be a fruitless task - well, unless you happen to live on a desert island of course.

So how did Brother Adam manage to create the Buckfast strain ? More reading on this subject is obviously required.

yes, more reading needed!
a lot of bees are bred in 'isolation apiaries' ( miles from any other bees) such as Islands, and of course, on parts of exmoor / dartmoor

 

[jimmybee]

There has been loads of swallows around both of my queen breeding sites,I have checked today and all my hives have cells or v queens but I have lost a hell of alot of v queens, it must be due to them but I just have to keep hoping and keep grafting.

 

[jackbee]

I'm only new to beekeeping myself but I remember reading about Drone congregation areas, so you would have to simulate that if possible ???

and no-one really knows how to determine what condtions are required for a DCA for AM bees. Some DCA's are known because they tend to remain over many years once established but no definite criteria have been determined by research as yet, afaik

 

[Little John]

yes, more reading needed!
a lot of bees are bred in 'isolation apiaries' ( miles from any other bees) such as Islands, and of course, on parts of exmoor / dartmoor

Not forgetting artificial insemination, which is how research scientists & some professionals now operate. Learned that about half an hour ago. The mists are gradually lifting ...

 

[BeeKeeper123]

Is there anyway of pinpointing an area that Drones are likely to congregate ?