> Apparently in the UK more colonies die in March and April than through
the winter
No need to blame varroa.  Once the colony initiates broodrearing in late
winter, the diutinus physiology of the "winter bees" shifts to that of
nurse to forager (take a look at my graph of Lloyd Harris' data at my
website).  If weather is poor, one gets an "unsuccessful spring turnover,"
in which the winter bees die of old age before they can rear replacements.
This is often also coupled with starvation and lack of moisture (even if
it's raining), due to the demands of maintaining the broodnest and
producing jelly.

Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4450
ScientificBeekeeping.com

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