Just about 20 years ago, this from the ABJ
> Russian hybrids may offer some varroa resistance, but pure ARS Russian stock should be used to achieve the maximum varroa resistance that is currently available in Russian bees. The lowest growth of mite populations occurred in the SMR-Russian hybrids.
> Beekeepers wanting resistance to varroa mites should insist upon pure ARS Russian honey bees produced by reputable queen breeders with a well-established Russian honey bee breeding program or those that use instrumental insemination to produce pure Russian queens.
— J. W. HARRIS and T. E. RINDERER
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