>>>>> The survival of the "feral colonies" was not due to any unique
trait of the bees, but instead, due to traits in the local 
population of the >>>VARROA mites<<<. 

Jim,
    I know the risk I take when I disagree with you but I live dangerously.
I have to insert this. When I spoke to Tom after a presentation on this
study he told me that since it wasn't the bees, there were only TWO other
possibilities that occurred to him--the mites were different OR the life
style of the bees was different. That is, smaller colonies and more
swarming. This would also account for other folks who tout "ferals" as
having some abilities. They just won't transfer to commercial beekeeping. 

Has he changed his mind in later writing? If not, you may want to correct
your statement a little. (Tom, you must read this at least a little?)

Dick Marron

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