Probably a weird question...

[charlotte]

This is probably a weird question...but I was wondering...

Taking into consideration that Carniolans are more prone to swarming and keep smaller winter clusters, thus needing less reserve, and Italians are less prone to swarming and keep bigger winter clusters, thus needing higher reserves...

If I had a hive of carnies and one of italians, both healthy, could I switch up brood with nurse bees on them between the two hives and then have 2 hives mixed that would need sort of a medium sized reserve for winter and decrease the swarminess of pure carnies, or does it all just depend on the queen??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experience with the above!!

[Brian D. Bray]

Carnies are of northern  European origin, Italians from southern Europe, think of the as cold and warm weather bees respectfully.

Switching frames won't do what you want, drone deversity in mating areas is what creates the desired objective.

[charlotte]

Thank you so much for the info!
I have tried researching this question for awhile and have come up empty handed until now.

Drone diversity?
So- if I let them requeen/superceed the cross of the two may produce a "hybrid vigor"?   

[Derek]

Not nessicarly. I believe. The queen still has to mate at the DCA. And depending on your area who know who she mates with.