@220 wrote:
So how is the introduction of a species that can not successfully mate with the bees that were there relevant. If they could successfully mate then no doubt the asian genes would quickly become dominant in the feral colonies.
Being fixated on a set view you are missing the message of an example which clearly shows how
dominance works. Populist to near zero in five years is no mean feat.
Find yourself a sunflower field adjacent some bush(scrub) to observe the activity of ferals (ye olde
English Black Bushbee) among the native bees and those from the pollinator's boxes (Apis m*) set
to the field.
I fail to see how the submission you linked in any way counters the arguement that the genetic makeup of truly feral colonies will be the best combination to survive in a area. If anything the fact that to breed the genetics they are after they have to go outside the area and breed in isolation supports it. If the traits they are looking for were the best suited then they would have quickly become dominant in the feral colonies.
The assumption cultured queens would dominate in significant numbers among feral colonies is
the error in your 'logic', historicly the feral queens are installed with their genetics invading the
apiary. It's exactly the case that ferals do not own desired traits which drives a whole Queen
supply industry in this Country. Cut open a few feral colonies to see that for yourself.
As said, the ferals are antsy/swarmy lil' mothers, responsible apiaists select lines denying those
traits.
As much as I loathe Googl'rs you yourself are quite capable of educating yourself amongst the
work of others;
http://www.glenn-apiaries.com/genetics.htmlIn closing..?.. it is exactly mindsets as yours that place neighbouring apiaries in danger of
unwanted genetic change - and extra work for the apiarist - through what I see as sheer
lazyness in management, deferring to arguement as excuse for that demeanour.
Off topic as it is I have had discussion with a migratory sideliner b'keep justlast Saturday
whereon he claimed SHB built for strong "survivor" colonies.
We had no SHB here and now maybe 2 months after he rocked up with his
3 colonys on the melon patch two of my nursed colonies are riddled with them. Worse, he
hasn't been near them since a check a week after dropping them off and had no intention
of doing so until after the wet season, maybe as late as midApril. I've written the incident
up in snailmail as I'll bet my last buck the fella is not even registered.
Such a management style could be behind the africanisation of colonies in States of the
USA, yet certainly it is such an attitude that will lead to the further degradation of managed
colonies in this Country.
Can I say "Flow [tm]" here??.... ummmm.
Bill