Queen breeders are going to produce only what the market demands. The market does not now, and has not in the past, demanded tracheal mite resistance, AFB hygiene, nor varroa mite tolerance. Hobbyists ask for these traits, but not the bulk of queen purchasers. Great lines of bees have been developed, only to be ignored in the market. Varroa, AFB, and tracheal mite could be minor issues if we shifted the genetics of the north American bee population. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen until the consumer demands this from the producers. I have personal commercial experience over the past 25 years with bees having the three traits, either alone, or in combination. I have found them to be profitable to run, with greater colony survival and production, and less labor. I can't understand why everyone doesn't demand them. Once such lines are developed, they are no more costly to produce. Randy Oliver ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************