Tom Seeley's observations in New York state show that bees with varroa can 
survive but if the same colonies are put into an apiary they succumb.


That has been my experience also.  To a large portion  my area is also home
to practically zero bee operations.  Mine is the only one in the county that
does not use swarms as the basis of the operation.  And I can tell you
without a doubt,  the swarm catching guys are running 75% or better losses.

In my area locals are horrible.  One good season and a spring swarm and they
are done. Some of the latest research shows that locals have just as high
mites and DWV I would concur here also.  And yes I have tried breeding the
locals as well as just capture.
Randy and a few others report some populations handling the mites.  I have
no reason to doubt that at all, but so far it seems there is more in play
than just genetics and it seems we don't have a handle on it yet.

I have done a lot of testing and bought a lot of "TF stock"  so far its been
an expensive outlay, with no payback.

Charles

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