No mites slows the buildup of
>  virus vectoring yeilding no collapse.  Its easier to detect the mites
>  than the virus.

Mike, I'm in total agreement.
Colonies without viruses can tolerate tens of thousands of mites.  Add
viruses, and they collapse.  This has occurred in several countries
that I've looked at the data.

> So just
>  speculating--we are seeing new pathogens at work--new interactions or
>  newly introduced predators & pathogens.

Yes to all!

>the interaction of mites salivary injections &
>  the breakdown of worker bee immune response to otherwise non-lethal microbes.

Don't forget nosema, and concurrent multiple viral infections!


>  We also should not rule out the encroachment of Africanized genes--

I don't want to cause a fuss, but this will likely be a good thing.
African bees are hell on diseases, and viruses are almost nonexistant
in feral scutellata and capensis!


>  Perhaps another trait to breed for would be virus resistance!
I've already discussed with major researchers and breeders.  This is
the main reason I pushed for the IVDS machine in Calif.

In addition, some mites have been shown to be resistant to DWV.  They
do not transmit it to bees.  Colonies with those mites don't collapse
from DWV!

The more I look into all this, the more fascinating it is!

Randy Oliver

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