In message <FAA0FE87588E459DB35823AB07F47E7A@office>, Peter Edwards <[log in to unmask]> writes >This does not seem to hold true in the UK. Here the SE, an area with >predominantly Italian bees, has for a long time had the highest >incidence of EFB. In the current outbreak in Scotland it is the native black stock that seems most affected. I am right in the midst of this event and have voluntarily destroyed a significant number of colonies, and without any doubt whatsoever the dark native bees were *much* more likely to be symptomatic. Mongrel stock and carnica stock were almost invariably clear, even in apiaries with a high concentration of symptomatic colonies. Cannot comment on Italian as they are of not used in Scotland. ( Lots of bees, big syrup bill and no honey in our environment if you have Italians.) In other outfits involved in the outbreak it is worst in some who have never had a non local bee introduced for 20 yrs or more. Back to the start of another thread, are the black bees resistant to varroa more than other types? Not in any significant way. They go down with it in much the same way as all the other stock we have had or seen. However they are tough and can cope with our environment more consistently than other types. In isolation in this part of the country they tend to revert to a relatively low vigour bee and small winter clusters are actually a normal with them and are not a negative sign. These bees often happily overwinter on 20 to 25lb of stores, can take long confinements, and fly in relatively low temps. Many strains are quite aggressive ( yes, even pure bred ) and they tend to be swarmy in hot weather, which makes them a less than ideal bee for many areas. Black bees were collected in Scotland some time ago at the onset of the tracheal mite crisis in the USA and were trialled over there at the time. ( No references I'm afraid, maybe others can come up with them ) I understand they were a failure in the environment they went to and were eventually disposed of. -- Murray McGregor *********************************************** 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 Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L