Why I support the Russians

[MohRokTah]

Last edited Sat Jul 26, 2014, 12:44 PM - Edit history (1)

There's a damned good reason to support the Russians. Where they originated they adapted to coexist with the Varroa destructor mite.

The Russian honeybee refers to honey bees (Apis mellifera) that originate in the Primorsky Krai region of Russia. This strain of bee was imported into the United States in 1997 by the USDA's Honeybee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in response to severe declines in bee populations caused by infestations of parasitic mites, and have been used in breeding programs to improve existing stocks.

Wikipedia link

[freshwest]

1. You *made me* google Varroa destructor mites.

I support the Russian:

[MohRokTah]

3. You learned something about honey bees!

[freshwest]

4. Kinda freaked me out, too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_destructor

Glad to see people's work on those things.

I've always loved honeybees:

[Xolodno]

2. Carefull...

....you now have a better than average chance of being labeled part of the "Putin Fan Club".....even if you piss all over him.

[MohRokTah]

7. Nah, I despise Putin and consider him completely responsible for the demise of MH17. eom

[autorank]

16. MH17 like Shoot Down Predicted a Month Ago

Ukraine - MH17 like Shoot Down Predicted a Month Ago plus Russian Defense Chief in English
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ukraine--MH17-like-Shoot-by-Michael-Collins-Brand-Obama_Mh17-Airline-Crash_Russia_War-In-Ukraine-140725-823.html

It's not a popoularity contest, it's just about the facts.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. DU Rec. and about your subject line --

Yay for Bees !!!

[parkia00]

9. And I thought this post...

was about Putin's pecks.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Your picture is showing as a 'remote linking forbidden' message, for me

and I'd guess for everyone else.

[MohRokTah]

13. Changed to a different image. eom

[jwirr]

11. Are these bees surviving in the USA? It says they fight off the mites that are killing bees but what

about other things like pesticides?

Also are they good for use in hives for growers?

[MohRokTah]

12. There are many breeders in the US

You can get Pure Russian bees, though they are not as productive as Italians, and they are used to breed hybrids more resistant to the Varroa.

[jwirr]

14. Thank you. We had bees 2 years ago and they did not make it through the winter and many of the

MN growers lost theirs also. We have invested way over $300 in equipment so far and do not just want to let it set there.

[MohRokTah]

15. Here's a place in DesMoines, Iowa

They sell pure Russians and if they're close enough to you they'll sell you a nuc colony for pickup:

http://www.russianbee.com/store/