>
> >but why go searching for what we already have,
> already understand, and already have clear
> metrics  for optimizing the breeding of
> the specific traits we understand and know
> to work against varroa?


 I'm in general agreement with you on this, Jim!

> The "Russian" lines and the Spivak/Harbo/Harris/Danka
"VSH/SMR" bee breeding programs are going through the
process of trying to make the traits more predictable
for queen producers

These stocks are excellent in their own ways.  However, none are yet
perfect--the Russians (as Bob Harrison has detailed) may not be suitable for
early pollination.  The Minnesota Hygienic are not very mite resitant, and
Dr. Spivak is struggling with finding combinations of mite resistance and
honey production that her cooperators are happy with.

The Harris/Danka VSH bees have greatly improved towards being more
productive, but would not generally be considered a great bee other than for
mite resistance.  Dr Harbo suggested them as carriers of a gene to be bred
into an operation.

In combination, sometimes one can get lucky, and get a nearly "perfect"
bee.  The devil is in the reproduction of the "magic" combination in
subsequent generations.

>
> >We already have the genetics we need to solve
> the problem, and have had them for some time.


I'm not so sure about this.  The above traits are only a fraction of the
potential traits possible to use for varroa resistance.  Dr Mike Allsopp
details others that had an effect in South Africa, and Apis cerana uses yet
others.  Over time, ferals may well develop useful traits to add to those
mentioned above.  My guess is that the bee of the future will combine
several traits to deal with varroa in some combination determined by natural
selection.

>
>
> >And we can't really compare the US to Australia
> in terms of "feral" versus managed colonies, as
> Australia hasn't had their feral stocks wiped out
> by varroa, so they likely DO have more genetic
> diversity in their feral stocks, mostly because
> they have very large areas where there are no
> managed hives at all.


Due to this diversity, I feel that it might be wise to at least test a few
ferals from Australia with a varroa challenge in another country before
their ferals are wiped out by the domino effect when varroa arrives.

>
>
> >Are the Spivak/Harbo/Harris/Danka "VSH/SMR" bees Magic Bees?


No, but sometimes an II breeder sure looks like magic! And I have thanked Dr
Spivak recently.

Randy

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