In a message dated 11/03/2009 22:01:18 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<My question, which I address to all is:
Wouldn’t a simple  plan of selecting from your best performers, automatically 
be selecting  colonies that cope best with the ‘environmental factors’ as 
defined by  Phillips 1918,  which include mites as such.  In other words, let  
the colonies dictate which traits are essential for them to cope with the  
environmental factors,  if hygenic behavior takes a second seat to  grooming 
behavior, so be it?>>

If you treat for mites, then any resistance  will inevitably be masked. If 
you want to look for mite resistance per se,  rather than a specific behaviour, 
the way to go might be to count mites when you  treat, and breed from the 
colonies with least. Obviously, thee are other  variables which could affect 
results. Treating every two years might make the  diffeences more obvious.




Regards,

Robert Brenchley

Birmingham  UK

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