I think we should be somewhat careful in how we classify 'wild bees'. I think it is better is this is clarified by saying 'wild honey bees' or 'feral honey bees' or something similar. As the mites do not affect other species of bees, there should be no real effect on 'wild bees' in general. Unless, of course, there was some sort of competitive effect by feral honey bee colonies that reduced native bee populations (I don't believe that this has ever been shown to occur). This may be seem silly, but as an pollination biologist who works with both honey bees and native bees, I am sensitive to the fact that most people tend not to recognize the importance of native bees in crop pollination. Kenna MacKenzie, Research Scientist Agriculture Canada, Kentville, Nova Scotia