Ruary Rudd wrote:

> Could the ranges  then define the difference between the two species, thus
> preventing the subjective assessments so far heard in this question of
> species identification.

This is the point that I made when I wrote:

'Perhaps the ratio of their dimensions, width and depth, are the significant
factor.'

So far, I have not seen any numerical data for the two species.  When varroa
first arrived here we were told 1.1mm by 1.6mm, but so far no definitive
data to distinguish Vj from Vd seems to have been provided.  Whilst I have
still not had the time (and will not have the time for a couple of weeks) to
measure the samples from Kerala and the UK, cursory examination shows a
considerable variation in the proportions of the carapace.  However, the
ventral structure seems much more consistent, with Vd having a much broader
ventral plate compared with Vj.

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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