David Eyre didn't catch my intent in connecting HBTM and spotty brood
patterns.  My purpose was to say that anything which interrupts brood
development, such as a spotty brood pattern, will also result in a lower
level of HBTM or Varroa.  Less bees to act as host, less brood to raise
Varroa in, equals lower pest levels.  It may be that a spotty brood
pattern, i.e. cells where larvae has been removed, is random enough to
prevent the pest from obtaining highly successful reproductive levels.
 
James C. Bach
[log in to unmask]