>Although some beekeepers here maintain that the beetles are knocking over
'good' hives, I and some mates believe it is only hives that have a problem
that succumb.

I read Charlie's report with great interest.  I have no SHB experience
myself, but have spoken extensively with those who do, from several areas
throughout the world.  Virtually all agree with Geoff's assessment.

One thing that has repeatedly been brought to my attention is that any
novel pest is likely to wreak havoc on a naive host population (the host in
this case being the bee).  It is only after several generations of natural
(or human) selection that the host adapts to the novel pest (or not, and is
extirpated).

In the case of bees, natural selection weeds out those bees that do not
recognize SHB adults, eggs, and larvae as hive intruders to be attacked.
This then leaves a surviving population of bees in which traits (olfactory,
etc) for the recognition of SHB are favored.

I'd be interested to hear from Charlie whether any of the lines of bees
that he's tested appear to be more resistant to SHB in his area--especially
lines bred in SHB territory.
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html