>
> >Note, they do not say they are mite resistant, but "more varroa
> tolerant." This may not prevent the bees from succumbing but rather to
> delay it, or require less frequent treatment, both of which are valuable
> but not the magic bullet.


There has been much misuse of the term "varroa tolerant," and I've taken
some researchers to task for doing so.
"Resistance" means that the bees prevent varroa from buildup up to harmful
levels.
"Tolerance" essentially means that the bees may be able to survive high
varroa levels by exhibiting resistance to viruses.

I've seen examples of tolerance again and again, in Russians, SoCal ferals,
and sometimes in my own stock.
But I'm selecting for resistance.

And as far as "benign" varroa--I feel that is a pipe dream.  All it would
take is the invasion of a single "virulent" mite to outcompete the benign
ones.

And contrary to Bill's prediction, there is zero evidence that  we need to
always be stuck with treating for varroa.  Animals have a very long history
of evolving or being bred for resistance to parasites, and I see no reason
to think that Apis mellifera is incapable of achieving what Apis cerana has
accomplished.

But we will be able to go back to "good old beekeeping" only when the
entire bee population (managed and feral) has shifted to resistance,
otherwise mite immigration from outside will continue to be a problem.


-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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