Peter wrote

> The other thing we have discussed in the past is the possibility that 
> varroa in isolated colonies become inbred and suffer inbreeding 
> depression, while the isolated > bees are still able to get out and 
> outcross, creating vigor.

Trevor wrote:
>>If as Denis Anderson says that varroa started on mellifera because one
mite 
>>recognized the signal to reproduce on mellifera, why would there be any
more 
>>inbreeding in an isolated area compared to the whole population which 
>>started from one mite?

It bears on the subject that the foundress mite lays eggs that result in a
male and some females. She then presides over brother-sister matings.
Inbreeding depression is not a very likely outcome with something this
kinky. I don't know what they are but was told by a top researcher that
mites do a number of things that result in their breeding health.

Dick Marron


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