It seems that this assumes racial diversity when you do not always get 
that in nature. You do get diversity in open mating but it is probably 
always within  a specific race of bee. So what are we really looking 
at?  AI may be a problem? But open mating also is a problem.

The problem with a statement like Asian Bees being healthier leaves out 
the main reason bees in NA and Europe have problems. An introduced pest. 
If you can isolate a species it will eventually come to some sort of 
"balance" with the pest or die out. In either case, an observer coming 
into the game late will see a "healthy" population, even though it may 
have lost quite a few species from the pest. History is full of 
examples. However, if you come in, as in those countries with newly 
introduced Varroa, you will be in the struggle for existence and it 
certainly will not be healthy.

Also, the tail is being pinned on "commercial" beekeeping, but the 
problem is across the board and affects all beekeeping where Varroa is a 
new introduction.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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