> >'Varroa is a vector for the problem' - it appears to be a vector  of
> viruses - it has been shown that at least one virus (VDV-1) can  replicate
> in
> varroa mites;


Jerry, I think that it is still an open question as to whether any of the
viruses have truly been demonstrated to replicate in varroa--Elke Genersch's
recent paper indicates perhaps otherwise.

Re: pulses of dying bees--in my yards the past two years, even the farmers
noticed the great increase in dead bees on the ground.  I've also had a
number of instances of sudden adult bee death that do not appear to be
attributable to pesticides, and from which the colony generally recovers.

Re Bill's varroa/miticide hypothesis.  My collapsed colonies were not
exposed to synthetic miticides, and a number were exposed to no miticides.
In the no miticide colonies varroa was present in low numbers in fall, but
the colonies still collapsed--so could be associated with a low mite level,
but certainly not synthetic miticides, at least in my case.

In retrospect, I also didn't see robbing, but just didn't pay attention to
it, since my losses were generally in cool weather or spring, and I was used
to no robbing of  varroa deadouts.

Juanse, commercial beeks report that combs can be reused if allowed to sit
for a month or two.  Could be a virus degrading, N ceranae spores degrading,
or ????

Randy Oliver

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