Randy said:
 For example, freeze-killed brood hygiene is a great predictor
> for removal of AFB, but not so much for removal of reproducing varroa 
> mites
> in brood.
>
Dann Purvis and I spent many hours years ago discussing this vary subject. 
We both say using freeze -killed brood is the best method for determining if 
a hive displays hygienic behavior but agreed added varroa pressure the best 
method for finding varroa tolerant bees.
We found early on that bees which displayed hygienic behavior did not always 
display strong varroa tolerance. We repeated tests quite a bit until we were 
sure selecting for hygienic behavior alone was not the path to a varroa 
tolerant bee but simply a first step.
We both agreed many years ago that some yet undiscovered factor was at work. 
In fact I believe we still do not yet understand *fully* why one hive 
handles varroa and another can not.
After working for years with the Russian bee I have written I believe the 
missing link *might* be that certain bees and possibly races seem unaffected 
by the various virus vectored by the varroa. PMS (parasitic mite syndrome) 
was almost non existent in my Russian bees regardless of the varroa load. A 
similar  varroa load would produce PMS in my Italian bees.

bob 

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