Waggle writes;

>>>So even during pre varrroa times, the breeding pool of smaller celled
ferals was being diluted year after year by the constant influx of non
acclimatized large cell types.<<<

I don't think the data support your view.  I seem to recall a study done,
I think out of USDA Tucson or Weslaco, which studied the feral
population.  I think it was based on or included DNA and found that the
feral populations were fairly distinct from managed colonies.  I almost
would say it was in ABJ and predated the arrival of AHB. I think they
were establishing a data base for later use with AHB and it may have
concerned only the southwest border area.  I seem to recall that the
feral MtDNA was largely Iberian in origin.   Is there someone out there
with a better memory than me?

Rip

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---