I draw readers' attention to an article in the latest issue of Bee World (Vol
84 (4)).  It is entitled "The potential for using male selection in breeding
honey bees resistant to Varroa destructor" and the authors are Sarah E
Jandricic and Gard W Otis from the Department of Environmental Biology, University of
Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

The article summarises the effects of varroa on drones and explores the
potential powerful role of male gamete selection in the breeding of mite resistant
bees. It is a long and fascinating article and is copyright so I shall quote
only the conclusion: "The method of selecting desired genotypes through
hemizygous males has considerable potential for the breeding of mite resistant honey
bees.  Direct selection on gametes can take place through the haploid male
because its entire genome is unmasked being free of dominance effects.  The
negative effects exerted on drones by mites, both direct and indirect, can act to
increase the relative frequency of drones carrying resistance alleles in the
mating population. Selection pressure from uncontrolled mite populations will
determine to a large extent which drones pass on their genes. Ways to implement
this type of selection programme, however, need to be addressed and tested
under field conditions"

Put over simply, with drones having only one set of chromosomes, what you see
is what you get.  There are no hidden recessives to complicate matters
although some of the characteristics are expressed only through their daughters.
They are preferred by mites and so the selection pressure is strongest.  Drones
from colonies that have least mites are most likely to mate and pass on their
genes.  If mite numbers are not over-suppressed by beekeepers natural
selection of resistance to the mites will develop relatively rapidly.

Although many readers will not get to see Bee World regularly, they probably
belong to a beekeeping association or an institution that does subscribe.  It
is worth getting yourself put on the circulation list or your librarian will
file away this secret store of wisdom.

> Chris
>

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