> Although V. destructor is not the sole cause of colony losses
> experienced worldwide in recent years, a consensus emerges that it
> represents the key factor (Neumann and Carreck, 2010).
>

Sort of what most have been saying all along since  it reflects the reality
of the apiary.

Control Varroa and your troubles drop back to normal, at least nearly so.

The other issue, "CCD", has been with us many times before in various
guises and the problem with new pathogens seems to be a mixed bag, but one
which, I believe, will be more easily handled by the bees if Varroa is
controlled.

When someone asks me what Varroa is like to a bee I ask them to think of
what it would be like to have a vollyball size tick on your back. Sort of
puts things into perspective when we talk about "sub-lethal" and other
stuff that is the cause of our bee's problems.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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