Recently I've noticed a tone of desperation setting into our discussions
of varroa control.  A quick check of the archives reinforces my thought
that this group is certainly aware of the research currently underway,
in the USA at least, on the varroa resistant strain of bees from eastern
Russia.

For a species to have been successful as long as the honey bee has been,
it must have had many challenges to overcome in the last several million
years.  Certainly parasites such as varroa must have been met and bested
in the past.  In the same way resistant strains, such as these Russian
bees, will overcome this parasitic challenge of our day as well.  This
is how evolution works - by natural selection (here given a helping hand
by us humans).

I am using chemical methods of control now, but only reluctantly and in
anticipation of receiving this new strain when it is available.  There
is no need to abandon hope.

Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA