From: "[log in to unmask]" "I'd be curious to learn what approximate
percentage of Weaver's colonies succumbs to varroa (I assume not all
colonies carry the varroa resistance over to the next generation when open
mated) and what approximate percentage of hives are hot/defensive (due to
open mating in an area surrounded by Africanized ferals)."

I'm curious about that - and everything else relevant to success.  Read
Weaver's post a couple of times and got a general message but no useful
facts,  in the sensce of being closer to being able to replicate the
findings for myself.  I posted the suggestion some time back that Bee-L
might set up a data base of all varroa experiements, using a fully-sized
data entry form that would record EVERYTHING  that might have a bearing on
success or failure.  Then we would know: number of hives/ strain /
experience of beekeeper / locality / timing / on...on...on....mite load thru
the year / method of assessment of mite load  ...on  ...on   .....   I
suggested a subscription from beekeepers world wide might fund the small
effort required to post the data submitted into one data base available to
all subscribers for their own analyisis of what ever features interest them
(How does success with controlling varroa vary around the world?  for
example).
There were absolutely no takers, other than the offer by the researcher to
host the system.  Are we going to go on FOR EVER merely getting anecdotal
accounts from the world's best beekeepers, which (in this form) so
under-play their usefullness in spreading effective bee practice?

Robin Dartington

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