Bob said: Feral genetics pale in my opinion compared to the Russian bee genetics of a hundred years of natural selection but to each his own! Hello, Ferals and Russians both do not have 22 to 25 million years of natural selection?,,,one more evolved than the other? The estimated date varroa had jumped species to Apis mellifera in Russian bees is less than hundred years, apx. 1963 to be exact. On the evolutionary scale, that would be even-par. In reality, ferals unhindered by selection restraints such as those placed on Russian bees by domestic beekeeping practices, may in fact evolve resistance to varroa at a faster and more efficient rate than the Russians have. Cheers, :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::