I wrote:
>> Chemical disease control will eliminate the possibility for a natural
selection
>> against a better resistant stock.
>> So are we really giving the genetic disease control a chance?
 
Vince Coppola replied:
>        Agree on chemicals interfering with natural selection but can we not
>select for resistance even while using a chemical? For instance the
>frozen brood test for hygenic behavior will work whether or not the
>colony is being fed antibiotic.>
 
The frozen brood test for hygienic bees is only one thing among many we
need to improve the possibility to select for. The resistance to varroa for
example could increase with not only hyg behaviour, but also the bees
removing mites from each other as reported from central Europe. Other
genetic traits can contribute to a better resistance, if given a chance to,
like shorter brood cycle when fewer mites will mature in the cell.
 
And if more beekeepers contribute to the testing we will faster get to the
goal. Chemical treatment will mask those hives we need to get out of
business in order to improve stock.
 
There are two ways to get better stock; one is to add improvements to
existing stock. The other is to eliminate the worst hives so we get an
average colony improvement.
 
I think both ways should be used. The goal should be faster reached that way.
Then we can not continue to use drugs on a regular basis.
 
Regards
 
P-O Gustafsson
Sweden
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