Chris asks:
> Which virus?
CCD:
Since Jerry B. is on the list today perhaps he could answer better but my 
understanding KBV was found in 100% of samples and IAPV (which we now 
realize and didn't at first could have been one of the three now found IAPV 
variations and all three could be simply a variation of KBV) was found in 
around 80 pus percent of samples tested.

Only KBV and nosema ceranae was published as being found 100% of the 
samples.

My early and kept quiet Florida involvement before CCD and looking back 
seems a different issue although some have said privately was CCD but in my 
opinion many things back then did not fit the pattern.

The Florida research I was involved with several years earlier than the 
naming of CCD .
Turned up  three virus . However KBV was not one of the virus found then. 
The same virus was found in both the hives crashing and the healthy (or at 
least seemingly healthy ) hives.

KBV was turned up in Florida by the USDA-ARS a couple years later. I do not 
believe the U.K. researchers would have missed KBV in the Florida earlier 
samples but it is what it is.

What we were observing mostly back then was bee mortality in developing 
pupae. Because virus was detected in samples virus was suspected as the 
cause. Loss of adult populations was common.
Temik was a prime suspect but time of year was suspect. Nosema ceranae no 
doubt was a factor back then but were not told was not in the U.S. yet and 
although I personally found high nosema spore counts we thought the nosema 
were nosema apis.

I wish some of those samples were still around but they are not!

We actually asked Beltsville if they were checking to see if nosema ceranae 
was in the U.S. They said yes  they were checking as in parts of Europe 
hives crashing were being blamed on the new nosema strain.
Not in U.S. yet. Then with CCD the new nosema was turned up. Only the new 
nosema now is traced back into the 80's.

bob 

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