David Fulton asked:   We have noticed people talking about a "bug" of some
kind that attacked a large portion of the bee population during 1996 either
in the U.S. or Europe. Can anyone out there confirm this rumor?? Does
anyone have any more facts along these lines?
 
   They might be referring to the spread of tracheal and varroa mites.  For
the latter, consult the following article:
 
  1996  Wenner, A.M. and W.W. Bushing.  Varroa mite spread in the United
States.  BEE CULTURE.  124:341-343.
 
                                                Adrian
 
Adrian M. Wenner                         (805) 893-2838 (UCSB office)
Ecol., Evol., & Marine Biology           (805) 893-8062  (UCSB FAX)
Univ. of Calif., Santa Barbara           (805) 963-8508 (home office & FAX)
Santa Barbara, CA  93106
 
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