>
> > Are honey bees more susceptible to viruses because of the weakened
> > position due to varroa mites or do the mites inject viruses into the
> bees?
>

One major question is whether varroa is merely a mechanical vector (dirty
mouthparts), or a biological vector (the virus reproduces in the mite).
This is currently poorly understood.

And as Juanse pointed out, African bees and perhaps Apis cerana appear to
be more resistant to viruses.  Two researchers are currently working on a
paper on the subject, since the immune responses of various races of bees
to viruses are quite different.
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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