> Deformed wings is not a tell tale sign of varroa.  DWV is a honeybee viral pathogen either persisting as an inapparent infection or resulting in wing deformity. The occurrence of deformity is associated with the transmission of DWV through Varroa destructor during pupal stages, but DWV does not necessarily occur in varroa infested colonies.

As far as I know (be happy to be corrected), usually, when DWV is
spotted it indicates Varroa. I realize there are times that Tracheal
is the culprit, but it is still an excellent indicator of Varroa. I
think we are nit picking.

Many of the virus that we now have problems with were around well
before Varroa and Tracheal. The mites let them have free reign to do
their thing and, as noted by many, are the reason for collapse.
However, without Varroa and Tracheal mites, there would be no problem.

Happy to hear you have Varroa resistant bees.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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