> > If I were the USDA-ARS I would ask for their research and then take > further. Why waste years doing the early research? Bob, I appreciate your report on the nosema tape. I was there, and have spent time with the Spanish researchers, and corresponded with them extensively. The US researchers are not as ignorant as you imply, and have taken note of the Spanish work. US researchers are currently trying to confirm the pathogenicity of N ceranae in North America. The answer does not appear to be simple. In my current trial of 7 different treatments given to N ceranae-infected colonies in fall and spring, the results are surprising me. I have not yet made final spore counts, but no single treatment stands out as being particularly effective. Supplemental feeding of a pollen substitute gives initial indications of helping. Some colonies appear to be able to recover from N ceranae better than others, regardless of treatment. However, this may be a case of Higes' "false recovery"--I'm going to track. To my eye, it appears that viruses are a larger issue in the nosema-infected colonies. I'm currently having tests run. The answers to collapses do not appear to be as simple as simply being N ceranae. Randy Oliver **************************************************** * General Information About BEE-L is available at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm * ****************************************************