> Is there a feasible path by which these traits might eventually become fixed at the metapopulation level?

First, I want to thank Jose Villa for his contributions. Second, I would point out that years ago Ben Oldroyd observed that the main limiting factor in what sort of stock improvement can be made available is the cost of producing it and the resultant price tag. 

A real intensive breeding program that produces consistently beneficial results could be very expensive. This could require selling queens at a higher price than average to recoup the costs. The cost of queens to a large producer can be significant and they would have to anticipate a real benefit from higher priced queens. 

If a queen isn't expected to last more than a year, there isn't a strong incentive to buy better queens, unless some other cost would be offset. Obviously, if better stock controlled mites, one could save on mite treatment costs. But if this required annual requeening to maintain, the cost could still exceed the benefit. 

If my system is working (e.g., buying bees only for replacement, treating for mites as needed, maximizing honey production, etc.) there is going to be little incentive to increase costs unless there is a real benefit. That is, unless one is interesting in trying new things, which is a valid reason of course.

PLB

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