Waldemar asks:
Can these viruses spread directly from bee to bee or is the mite the only
transfer mechanism involved?

Acording to Rothamsted in the U.K.. The viruses are in the hive and the
varroa are the vectors. My friend Dr. Norman Carrick warned me the problem
was coming years ago and even trusted me by sending his future Apimunda
paper on the subject for me to read. I admit Norman was right back then but
I don't believe Norman or Dr. Brenda Ball foresaw the magnatude of the virus
problem *or* maybe they did but were afraid to say so at the time  (which is
typical of researchers). Perhaps Dr. Carrick or Dr. Brenda Ball might
comment on BEE-L on the current world virus crisus.

And do you have plans to mass produce and sell your Russian queens?

We do but we will never be able to supply the demand. We have decided to
concentrate on quality rather than quantity. Early dates for this year are
gone but we might be able to supply mid summer.
We hope to provide packages of pure Russian next year but many beekeepers
are already on the waiting list. All booking for this year is being handled
at either Purvisbrothersbees.com or mountain-honey.com.
I am gearing up to supply Russian packages next year but only because I have
got the bees and the industry needs the bees as I retired in 1998.
I picked up my income tax forms from my CPA about an hour ago and she rocked
back in her chair and said:
" I plan to retire in a couple years but when I do I don't want to retire
like you!"
I love beekeeping and love the beekeeping industry! I spent two long days a
couple weeks ago trying to come up with a solution for the current
beekeeping crisis with the largest beekeeper  the world has ever seen and
in my opinion ever will. I came away without a solution. His solution was to
shut down and wait for a solution.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

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