As usual, a great post from Murray.

His comment on a lack of nectar reminded me that, at least in Maine, for 
those of us (in all parts of the State) who extract in late July/early 
August, there was no honey. Then, right after that, nectar came in and 
there was a significant and much greater than usual fall surplus.

So add that to the possible causes for losses in Maine the past year. My 
guess is similar conditions were present in most of the NE US.

I also have read all of the info on viruses not being associated with 
TM. It is not the virus in TM, it is the virus in the colony. It would 
seem intuitive that weakened bees will have a weakened immune system 
which would allow the spread of virus. From there on, it would not need 
the mite since the virus would spread from bee to bee when in close 
contact in their winter cluster. Works with most any confined group and 
the presence of virus. You only need a critical mass of carriers and it 
becomes an epidemic.

Some virus symptoms are easily visible with an infected TM colony that 
survives the winter.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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