In a message dated 18/05/2004 05:03:50 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> The researchers were
> shown hives by beekeepers here that exhibited a very specific syndrome, that
> I call "disappearing bee syndrome".   It is characterized by a hive that was
> doing
> well suddenly being left with a queen and a small handfull of bees.

Stan,

Here in the UK  I have seen this several times in the early years of varroa.
This is in an area where most of the farms are close to organic.

I suggest the researchers include viruses among their list of suspects.  Ruth
Waite of the Central Science Laboratory (www.csl.gov.uk) is currently asking
UK beekeepers to send samples of bees so they can be tested for the various
viruses they carry.  It might be worth getting in contact.

Chris

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