john w
New Bee
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 21
- Location
- Pangbourne
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 6
If you read my earlier post you will see that I stated that this phenomena occurs more often in smaller bees but not exclusively, The colonies ."It seems to relate to their propensity to recap cells ie they detect varroa presence within cells and then they bore a small hole in the cell capping, disrupting the equilibrium of temp and humidity. "
"seems"..
Holes in cappings are a WELL KNOWN sign of excess varroa irrespective of cell size.
If you are suggesting they are associated only with bees in small cells . I would love to see your evidence. A link to the appropriate scientific paper will suffice - no need to quote from it..
My bees do not appear to be small cell.. last time I measure my TBHs after 5 years of them the size was 5.4 mm and my Langs appear the same. Both colony types appeared to show holes in cappings associated with excess varroa.. And visible mites and DWV appear to confirm this.
Our Association apiary is the same as are other hives I mentor for others.
I would welcome your link as above to show I am just wrong.
that Steve Martin has investigated are predominantly 5.4mm
The recapping phenomena is not about creating and leaving holes it is about recapping ie plugging them back. They are practically invisible from the top and need to be carefully peeled off to see the evidence from below.
Have a read of Oddie et al: Cell size and Varroa destructor mite infestations in susceptible and naturally-surviving honeybee (Apis mellifera ) colonies
john