> So, anyone who suggests that non-virulence is inevitable in a parasite is
> mistaken. Evolution has no foresight, so a species can run rampant through
> its supply of hosts and then go extinct itself, not having "fore-seen" this
> eventuality.
>

Excellent post, as usual, Peter.

Add that in a non-regulated natural environment there are disease/parasite
cycles. All is well; the pest/disease increases; there is a crash; slow
rebuilding of the host and all is well....

If we humans did not interfere with the cycle, we would see the same, as
has happened many times in the past. Which is why we say "let nature take
its course" except when it directly effects us.

In beekeeping, Tracheal mites are classic.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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