Views on LASI Queens at the end of the season

[Finman]

That is, they seem to focus on the opening of the cell first. They partially remove the dead pupa quickly but can take quite a while to completely remove the pupa (they leave bits behind). The test calls for the complete emptying of the cell so these cells can not be counted as empty.

I have seen that bees use larva and soft pupae as protein source. Perhaps they do not want waste their meat store at once

 

[B+.]

I have seen that bees use larva and soft pupae as protein source. Perhaps they do not want waste their meat store at once

In the pin killed brood assay, the brood should be quite old (i.e. purple - black eyed stage) so it is harder for them to remove. If younger brood is selected, they remove it too quickly

 

[Fusion_power]

Research shows that neither pin killed nor frozen brood is a good proxy for selecting bees for varroa resistance, yet tests of highly VSH bees consistently show they test very high for general hygienic behavior. VSH bees remove frozen brood in 12 hours or less. Sources on Marla Spivak's web site.

 

[B+.]

Research shows that neither pin killed nor frozen brood is a good proxy for selecting bees for varroa resistance, yet tests of highly VSH bees consistently show they test very high for general hygienic behavior. VSH bees remove frozen brood in 12 hours or less. Sources on Marla Spivak's web site.

I think I covered that in post #196
They are only pre-selection tools. Only highly hygienic colonies are selected for the VSH test programme because of the amount of effort involved. Breeding values must be over 100% too.

 

[Finman]

Research shows that neither pin killed nor frozen brood is a good proxy for selecting bees for varroa resistance, yet tests of highly VSH bees consistently show they test very high for general hygienic behavior. VSH bees remove frozen brood in 12 hours or less. Sources on Marla Spivak's web site.

Lasi says, that their highly hygienic hives has mite amount 50% compared to ordinary hive.

Varroa population doubles itsef in one month. At least we know that Lasi colonies must have same treatments like other hives.

 

[Madge]

That is precisely my point Finman, LASI seem to be using the older definition which is less demanding than the 24 hour test (see previous post)

Sorry - yes. I thought you meant they fitted three tests into two day. My fault.

 

[Finman]

.
But thanks Mellifera, that you was charp and put us to dig facts from issue.

What I found is that breeding hygienic bees is far from easy job.. Just awfull. I have not so much hives that I could do something even minimal. .
.

I hope only good luck to the Lasi project, that it does not meet much bad luck on its voyage.