Pete >What Maori and the others seem to believe is that the incorporation of
the viral dna confers some sort of resistance to the effects of the virus,
which they regard as a benefit. I have a hard time seeing the insertion of
viral dna as beneficial

Seems to cut both ways, Pete.  Incorporation of some viral genes may help to
confer immunity, or help to incorporate other beneficial genes into an
organism that confer increased fitness.  On the other hand, incorporated
viral genes could be time bombs waiting to be set off.  The Maori/Sela lab
is looking into both.

Juanse >  The question then would be what was the trigger?  Any guess?

First on my list would be another virus, N ceranae, cold weather,
nutritional stress, varroa immune suppression, pesticides/miticides.

Kathy >Bumble-bee foragers infected by a gut parasite have impaired ability
to utilize floral information

Kathy, this effect has been clearly documented for nosema to cause honey
bees to have trouble finding the entrance to the hive.

Randy Oliver

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