> Strong grooming traits may be more beneficial than hygienic behavior.
I agree and my good friend Dann Purvis and I have discussed the issue. The
problem is finding those bees .
You see the most mite grooming in hives with heavy varroa infestation and
most the evidence is found as varroa parts on a sticky board .
Dann suggested most hives increase grooming as varroa infestation rises.
I personally do not know of a breeder using grooming traits when deciding on
a breeder queen. Most (including myself) test for hygienic behavior (which
is easy).
I would think (opinion only) that one would have to push a group of hives
far over threshold and then rescue your breeder queen from the hive doing
the most grooming. All hives would be lost I would imagine.
Carolyn's observations show that mellifera can open cells and attempt
removal of varroa but I think is not common.
bob
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