> Are the different genetic types?  Yes, and only someone looking for a battle  or completely foolish would argue otherwise.  

I have cited numerous studies which show that the bees in the US are not the same as the Italian and Carniolan bees in Europe, based on genetic markers. Further, the bees of the US are a mix of Italian and Carniolan with some A. m. m. from north Europe, the original bee imported into the US in the 1600s. All of this is backed up by studies done by Shepard, Magnus, Delaney, etc. 

What you are actually talking about is behavior; behaviors attributed to the original stock in Europe. It may well be that these behaviors are genetically based. In the ensuing 150 years, US beekeepers have selected for docility, fast buildup, etc. in package bees. Some beekeepers have selected for frugality and ability to winter over. Do these attributes align exactly with the traditional "races"? 

All I am saying is that the chief difference between what are sold as Italians and Carniolans in the US is color, which is a genetic trait, and it has been selected for. How do you think bees that have lived side by side in the US for 150 years could still be genetically distinct? There is absolutely nothing preventing them from breeding with each other. 

PLB

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