To Gavin: Selecting for the survivors (bees) of a viral infection may not produce the result that you desire. Some viruses have many times higher levels of inapparent (covert) infection than the patent infections that produce symptoms, sometimes bee losses. For some viruses, the bee survivors may be carriers. Some insect viruses act like the bacteria that produces typhoid fever, where T. Mary was the carrier. You want to eliminate the carrier colonies from the bee operation. We're beginning to see that this may be possible - and not just by some type of vaccination, but by taking the approach mentioned by Greg -- targeted pathogen management AS A TOOL BUT NOT A TOTAL SOLUTION. And before Bob H. jumps back in and says you can't do anything about viruses - remember, previously you could not do much about a covert virus because you did not know it was there, but that's not necessarily the case anymore. Its possible to screen for viruses, including the covert ones, with technologies available to beekeepers right now. Preliminary information indicates that it is possible to manage to reduce or eliminate the worst viruses - we're just beginning to see that happen in bee operations that are trying to manage better with respect to reducing viral loads. Jerry **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005) *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html