"Based on the research available to-date, it might suggest that both activities are on a continuum and are expressed at varying levels based on seasonality, varroa load, patriline make-up and probably a whole lot more."
There is lots of qualitative evidence that this is correct.  It is also an expected result if you understand honey bees and genetics.  This variability is why breeding programs in bees  are expected to fail if those programs are carefully directed in breeder choice by good selection of such quantitatively measured traits.  That is, tests like the Harbo test can give interesting data that looks like it can be used to direct breeder choices, but when applied in the field usually lead to bees that do not produce  commercially viable populations.  Bees are really hard to breed compared to most animals due to the polyandry issue where a little of a good thing can be fine but too much of exactly that same good thing is a disaster.  This problem is actually easy enough to control and still produce a population that will breed true.  You solve it by proper breeding program design.  And things like better Harbo tests will only lead you into a worse tangle of woods.
Dick

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