Hello All

Allen Dick wrote:

>What is very clear, is, in Mark's words: "Apistan is the type of product that
>can induce resistance even if properly used".

Are we now in a situation where all we can do is to wait patiently for the
demise of the Western bees?. Another species added to the ever lengthening
extinction list.

I read Allen's post and it has filled me with a sense of foreboding. But I
am still hopeful that a solution will be found, but alas will little
evidence yet to support such hope.

Trevor Weatherhead wrote to tell us that Australia is free of varroa. I hope
so but I doubt it. We thought the same about Ireland albeit much closer to
an infected country. And someone broke the rules either innocently or
malevolently and assisted varroa to spread into our country. Let us now face
it - it is highly likely that there is no spot on earth where bees live that
can be considered free of varroa.

IMHO mankind has been the best friend that the varroa mite ever had. We
helped it to jump to a helpless species and then we made it stronger by
using a product that can induce resistance even if properly used as stated
above.

Is there no light at the end of the tunnel, or is this a case where science
is beaten?

I sincerely hope not.

I suppose that at the end of the day it is not surprising that an organism
that has been around for many millions of years could not easily outfox an
organism that has been around only a short while!. Especially when the
latter organism assisted the enemy.

I am reminded of the lines from the Ancient Mariner as best I can remember them

        'As one who on a lonesome road
         Doth walk in fear and dread
         And having once looked round walks on
         And turns no more his head
         Because he knows that close behind
         A fearful fiend doth tread.'



Sincerely

Tom Barrett
49 South Park, Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 99