there have been reports in the literature for some time of varroa-tolerant strains/stocks of bees, from europe to africa to s.america...what is uncertain is whether these result from genetics, environmental variables, mite virulence, or all of the above and/or some other factors that may or may not be replicable. such variability would argue for trying to preserve any surviving diversty in local bees and attempting to confirm its persistence, especially in feral or abandoned colonies... _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]