Varroa tolerant bees can be found in other places in France too. Yves le 
Conte had a talk in Apiondia about 70 colonies that were started from 
colonies that had survived 2 years without varroa treatments. These colonies 
were looked through monthly but not much other beekeeping was done. Colonies 
in 4 apiarys.  In the past about 10 years of this study the colonies 
averaged life span of 8 years. Some colonies have lived for 13 years without 
treatments. Losses / year were around 15 %. The dead colonies do not look 
like varroa kills. The colonies swarmed more and collected less honey than 
normal colonies that were in the same area as controls.

Le Conte has been reporting about this study for many years. I believe these 
bees will also test for Am.m.

Ari Seppälä
Finland 

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