Hi Everyone,

Bob wrote in part:

"If the hypothesis of these researchers is correct then instead of only
cold
winters limiting AHB AHB may may be limited  by Temperature, rainful ,
humidity etc."

In other words climate.  This is certainly true of other animals and
total climate data is used to predict survivability of a species in a
new area.  This is important in wildlife introductions such as pheasant
and Hungarian partridge.

Bob wrote in part:

"Not one U.S. researcher predicted   the  stop of the spread of AHb in
the
U.S. like it has."

Spivak and Taylor did quite a few years ago now at least their map is
the closest I have even seen that was forecast before AHB was found in
TX.  Based again on climate conditions in South America and spread of
AHB there.

Bob wrote in part:

"To add support to the weather related hypothesis we know the small hive
beetle problem slowed way down in the southeast with the drought
conditions
and many beekeepers  claimed  their home remidies were the  reason. The
rains came and SHB was back with a vengence. Hmmm.

My friends in Florida  have been emailing me about their SHB problems.
Looks
like we have got a serious pest on our hands in the southeast."

The other factor involved in both cases is varroa resistant to
treatments appearing in the same area at the same time.  First
fluvalinate resistance and now Coumaphos resistance.  Stressed bees
would appear to be much more easily attacked by the beetles or is it the
climatic conditions.  Hard to separate the two factors out when they
both appear together.

FWIW

blane




******************************************
Blane White
MN Dept of Agriculture
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