>
> >While the bees are slowly evolving, varroa is evolving faster and even
> faster are the viruses.


Pete, that appears to be an off-the-cuff claim.  Do you have evidence to
offer in support?

It's obvious that viruses and mites, due to their far more rapid
reproductive cycles have the *ability* to evolve at a greater rate than do
bees.  Despite that fact, the evidence from South Africa suggests that bees
got the upper hand.  DWV has not yet been detected in South African bees,
despite the fact that if it were not already established in insect
populations in that region prior to the arrival of varroa, that the first
mites would likely have introduced it.

I know that you've followed Mike Allsopp's research--he documented the very
rapid evolution of two races of Apis mellifera in response to the
introduction of varroa (and likely its associated viruses) into South
Africa.


--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html