>end up, as in Italy, with Varroa immune to Apistan.
 
I don't believe this has been proven.  I have not seen anything
definitive on this.  As far as I know, its still in the "rummor"
stage. There have been some nebulous "reports" out of northern
Italy (highly suspect) which have not been scientifically verified.
 
Additionally, in Europe, they have a product other than
Apistan that is approved for use in controlling Varroa.  The
product is called Bayvarol Strips with an active ingredient of
Flumethrin (different from Fluvalinate).  My understanding is
that Bayvarol Strips (while not cheap) are less expensive than
Apistan in Europe.  This of course leds one to question why
the Apistan product would have been used to begin with?  With
two available products to choose from; rotating between the two
would considerably increase the time required to develop resistance.
 
Can someone shed some definitive light on the reported Fluvalinate
resistance of the Varroa mite in Italy?
 
BusyKnight
Dallas, TX
BusyKnight
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ICBM INcode:N:32.45'W:96.45'
Dallas, Republic of Texas
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but
certainty is an absurd one. - Voltaire