From the viewpoint of the latest nation invaded by varroa, the discussion on this list is interesting but patchy. May I suggest that the leading expert is Dennis Anderson PhD (an Australian who worked for our govt several years but then went back home)? As far as I can see he is the leading formal publisher on, and named, the species which has now invaded us: _Varroa destructor_ . Our officials have been sluggish to respond to the emergency, and have now proposed a control programme centred on ApistanŽ which some of us refuse to put into our hives. We want a much more broadminded R&D programme including several other chemical methods (various methods of administering thymol, formic acid, etc). The idea of smaller-distance foundation is tantalising. I just wish I could readily see more evidence on its efficacy. R - Robt Mann consultant ecologist P O Box 28878 Remuera, Auckland 1005, New Zealand (9) 524 2949