Charles...mid-winter collapse in hives with too many mites is generally
fundamentally due to the viruses, not the mites.  No brood, no new mites.
However the existing ones continue to spread viruses and that is what
weakens the hive and kills it.

Agreed and understood.  My point was that these hives with winter collapse
which is typical up north,  don't spread mites like ones that collapse other
times of year.  These mites die on the bees, and no bee drift in November.
By spring any robbing of a deadout does not transfer mites.


That said,  mites that infest to a level that kills the hive in winter,  are
by default defeating themselves,  so as a result,  less virulent,  or weaker
mites actually have a genetic advantage.

So my question is in area that have "mite restraint" bees such as MB,  has
the "evolution" of mites  given his region a weaker mite that is not as
destructive?  It could explain why many denounce packages,  they bring in a
stronger mite again??  And might explain why those queens fail elsewhere.



Charles

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