Peter Borst wrote:

>introduced from the Old World during the XXth century after selection by man)
>are mainly derived from anthropogenical selection. They are actually gentle,
>but also form compatible associations with parasites like V. destructor. On
>the contrary, feral bees, when they still exist (AHB [African Honey Bees]
>that we tested can be considered as such), though less gentle, would still
>have intact resistance abilities.
>
>
>
One fallacy in that argument is the introduction of a totally foreign
pest/disease on the population. There can be no resistance if there was
no pest/disease to cause the development of immunity or tolerance. A
classic example is the meeting of Europeans and Native Americans. The
diseases common to Europe decimated the NA, yet the NA would, from the
above, be classified as having "intact resistance abilities". The
analogy is not that far off, since the Varroa hosts had developed a
tolerance for the mite, while the "domesticated" bees of Europe and the
America's had not.

Plus, the "domesticated" bees are showing resistance from selection by
breeders in the US and possible "feral" survivors talked about in this
list, so they also must have "intact resistance abilities".

There was no need nor reason to breed European bees to tolerate Varroa
since there was no Varroa. They are not a more susceptible bee because
of breeding, since the feral populations in every country where Varroa
has been introduced has collapsed.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine