>there is more to it than just queen genetics in my opinion and testing.  

indeed.  the drone contribution will likely pan out to be the more important consideration.  i believe this is why proven survivor stock ends up failing in the second and third years when tried in areas that don't have a good density of feral colonies.  once the original queen is replaced the colony becomes hybridized with and resembles more closely whatever is around.

for what it's worth i combine treatment free with no artificial feeding as a hedge that natural resistance to infection may be mediated by dietary elements found in honey but not in syrup.

as far as containment goes, and with so many colonies overwintering together, do you find it challenging to identify the ones dwindling from mites/viruses in time to prevent the robbing and spreading to the others?

kudos for running the experiment charlie and thanks for sharing your results, and thanks to those who have expressed interest off list.

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