>>From my point of view, any breeding population that has gone through
numerous reproductive cycles independent of human influence could be
referred to as "wild type."

This would require a suspension of disbelief that there is a corner to be turned in the world of breeding honey bees that can survive independent of human interference. Being the chief barrier in most interactions on the subject - belief is a better option for those with a hint of optimism for a better future of beekeeping with reduced dependence on acaricides or other inputs for that matter. Impossible is the refrain sang loud from the rooftops since day one of this beekeepers journey - yet a simple survey of a suburban 10-mile radius has revealed a multitude of wild colonies with very low to no beekeeper density. When bred from they persist acaricide-free but ultimately succumb to the pressure of beekeeper demands on size and production - but demonstrate capacity nonetheless.

Despite documented evidence of these wild colonies - there are more who say 'bullocks' than those who admit the possibilities demand an effort from the rest of us to proceed into the future - one that is more sustainable - with a mindset that these bees know something we don't - about being 'wild'.

-James

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