Hi Pete,
>>If the oxytet stops the spores from developing, then how did the resistance
>>of the vegetative stage occur?

I'm with Trevor on this one.  Treating prophyllactically with oxytet
will still allow only resistant AFB mutations to survive.

Re the "Live and Let Die" method of survivor stock.  This method is
exactly the same as what occurs in nature.  However, the beekeeper
need not practice it to gain the same benefit.  The way around letting
unfit colonies die, is to go ahead and treat them.  But don't let them
produce drones or queens the next spring.

The end result is the same--only fit genetics will be promoted.  But
you can still keep your unfit colonies alive until you replace their
queens with more fit queens that you breed from those colonies that
didn't require treatment.

Randy Oliver

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