> > >What if one "type of mite" smells different" bites harder or some other > minute difference which triggers better grooming habits?? That line of mites would be at a competitive disadvantage "normal" mites, and be quickly outbred. Consider this: when virtually all mites were susceptible to coumaphos, those very rare mites that had the advantage of being resistant completely out competed and replaced the susceptible mites in only three years in Calif. It only takes one foundress mite that is more successful at reproduction to completely change genetics of the entire mite population of a continent in only a few years. -- Randy Oliver Grass Valley, CA www.ScientificBeekeeping.com *********************************************** 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