> On Aug 24, 2015, at 3:42 PM, Jose Villa <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> 

> This conclusion does not make sense.  The Avignon and Gotland bees appear to curb mite reproduction in brood through some mechanism(s) yet to be determined.  That reduction of reproduction should translate into decreased growth of mite populations, regardless of other environmental conditions.  If the tests had been standardized and varroa allowed to grow in colonies depending on their level of resistance, then these mechanisms should have made a difference consistently.



It makes perfect sense if the lowered mite levels are not genetically based, but environmentally driven (e.g., isolated hives, low colony density, high rate of swarming, etc). 



Even in stock that’s proven to be genetically distinct, the qualities evaporate pretty quickly due to supersedure and outcrossing.



If the hypothesis doesn’t agree with reality, hypothesis has got to go.



PLB









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