"Survivor bees" found in Blenheim Forest

[Ian123]

Oxfordshire - Varroa was first Identified by a Beefarmer in 1992 I think so the chances they haven’t got it are slim at best

I think we can assume he has varroa,he lost 80% of his tolerant bees a year or 2 ago

 

[user 20297]

Such is life

I'm being polite again.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Oxfordshire - Varroa was first Identified by a Beefarmer in 1992 I think so the chances they haven’t got it are slim at best

do they have bee farmers in Oxfordshire? this cove seems to think that it's devoid of managed colonies

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think we can assume he has varroa,he lost 80% of his tolerant bees a year or 2 ago

Hmm, according to some 'master' beekeepers he's a 'very experienced and competent' beekeeper, I think they missed out an India and November there somehow.

 

[Bumble Bee Slim]

I'm getting deja vu.

I'm getting a beer.

 

[Ian123]

do they have bee farmers in Oxfordshire? this cove seems to think that it's devoid of managed colonies

A quick look at your BFA members book should tell you

 

[Ian123]

When you see an article like this and you realise how many hives, breeders and how much money is involved, you soon realise how far behind we are in this country. Particularly when some are looking for resistant bees in trees AAAS

 

[Finman]

Particularly when some are looking for resistant bees in trees AAAS

Such story this time. Even Brother Adam searched varroa tolerant bees around the world.

The author is science reporter.

Things proceed very slowly.

 

[Brian Bush]

I do not know about Varroa tolerance in the Blenheim bees. I do know that the local BKA have had an outbreak of foul brood in their nearby apiary in the last few years and that their are several honey producers locally. Honey from a supplier in Islip, less than 5 km from Blenheim, as the bee flies, is on sale in a food outlet in Bicester.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

so much for no other bees nearby then!

 

[Firefly]

The High Park part of the Blenheim estate, where the ancient oak woods are, is in the southern part of the park, about half way between Woodstock and Long Hanborough. I know there are beekeepers in the latter, which is about 2km away, but there are beekeepers scattered all over Oxforshire, just like anywhere else. IF there is something keeping these colonies in some degree of genetic isolation, it is not distance

 

[Ian123]

IF there is something keeping these colonies in some degree of genetic isolation, it is not distance

Now stop it hes clearly suggested to the reporter there’s humid valleys keeping the bees separate

 

[Parsonage Bees]

The High Park part of the Blenheim estate, where the ancient oak woods are, is in the southern part of the park, about half way between Woodstock and Long Hanborough. I know there are beekeepers in the latter, which is about 2km away, but there are beekeepers scattered all over Oxforshire, just like anywhere else. IF there is something keeping these colonies in some degree of genetic isolation, it is not distance

So why are there any small black bee colonies down in the woods when the external pressure of yellow, vigorous genetics is so strong? Do they have their own DCAs in the magical oak land glades protected by sinister damp valleys?

 

[Ian123]

This picture from his own just giving page appears to show normal Heinz 57 bees to me. I’m sure he’d be a little more selective in those sent for testing!

 

[Erichalfbee]

So why are there any small black bee colonies down in the woods when the external pressure of yellow, vigorous genetics is so strong? Do they have their own DCAs in the magical oak land glades protected by sinister damp valleys?

I think exactly that has been mooted that black virgins mate with black drones but yellow ones mate with both black and yellow. Aren’t black quuens supposed to avail themselves of AVM ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Now stop it hes clearly suggested to the reporter there’s humid valleys keeping the bees separate

The only humid valley I can sense is the one between a bull's rear cheeks

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I think exactly that has been mooted that black virgins mate with black drones but yellow ones mate with both black and yellow. Aren’t black quuens supposed to avail themselves of AVM ?

Had to look up Apiary Vicinity Mating. What aristocratic bees these are. Did someone say inbred?

 

[robinharman]

This picture from his own just giving page appears to show normal Heinz 57 bees to me. I’m sure he’d be a little more selective in those sent for testing!
View attachment 29090

Oh, come on, there is a black bee at about 11 o'clock in the photo. Perhaps he means that one?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

He probably coloured it in with a felt tip pen!

 

[Apiarisnt]

He probably coloured it in with a felt tip pen!

Which years are you meant to put a black dot on your queens?