>>In defense of the Weaver's they have always protected their queen 
lines (I have been told) and keep marked numbered breeder queens.

How do you protect your queen lines?  Even if you AI your breeder 
virgins, your control over the semen is limited.  I mean you how to 
your ensure exlusive EHB genes in the collected drones?  I suppose 
you could do genetic testing on your virgins and drones but this is 
expensive (and not necessarily 100% accurate).  

I don't think EHB drone saturation will be fully effective.  Drones 
drift over many miles and move from hive to hive.

>>We need U.S. queen and package producers to survive. Think of their 
plight.

I feel for queen breeders and beekeepers who have operated in the 
same area often for generations.  I think *good* queen producers will 
need to locate in non-African areas going forward.  I don't wish for 
queen producers to spread AHB genetics into areas where they are not.

Queen producers have to adapt.  George Imirie, I believe, said that 
you can't keep bees like grandpa did.

>>A few AHB matings will happen and those queens will be shipped.

I am concerned about these bees swarming into the local area and 
spreading their genetics.  Not everyone will be depopulated in time.

>>Get rid of those "hot" genetics and keep foulbrood out of your 

hives!

This is excellent advice.  I fear not everyone will heed.  I can see 
novice hobby beekeepers get AHB genetics through mail, watch hot 
hives get strong in numbers and attitude, and then be afraid to 
approach the hives to do the right thing.

Waldemar
Long Island, NY

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