I agree with Peter to some degree
on herd immunity, specifically
areas without a feral population.
In areas which can support feral bees,
I'm not sure how 'herd immunity' can
exist where colonies which rely on
pesticides for mite control dominate
the herd. Bees will continually swarm
off into the wild, becoming mite
reservoirs until they succumb. This will
play havoc with herd immunity thresholds.
Perhaps, herd immunity can exist in
areas where trait based resistance
in the feral population / domestic
beekeeping dominates the herd, bees
swarming off then become part of the
herd immunity.
Best Wishes,
J Waggle
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