Bob Harrison,

I will react to your comments on Russian bees. At Austin I presented the 
results of a two year study conducted by Deleplane and Ellis at UGA. The 
study involved 5 beekeepers in the coastal plane, piedmont and mountain 
areas of Georgia. The grant to do this experiment was for an "IPM" study. 
IPM methods used were, screened bottom boards and Russian bees. At this 
point I would like to refer those interested to "Proceedings of the American 
Beekeeping Conference". published in the May issue of ABJ page 438. The 
results of this study were so astounding that someone in Deleplane's 
position must tread carefully in order not to offend breeders of bees other 
than Russian.

 The speaker at the ABF convention in Austin on Russian bees is a bit shy to
> post on BEE_L but we had a discussion on the subject by email. His
> conclusion
> on the Russian was (and is also mine) that with the Russian bee you will
> without doubt need to treat less for varroa and the bee does not seem
> effected by tracheal mites.

Well the Russian bees not treated for two years with any miteacide had no 
more varroa mites than the Italian bees treated twice each year with 
chemicals,Check mite, Apilife-Var, and Apiguard. (Makes me wonder why you 
use chemicals at all).

Keep in mind also that the Russian bees were at a distinct disadvantage for 
they were intermingled in the study with mite infested Italian bees. In 
spite of this the Russian bees excelled in every area measured. For example 
a slight increase in honey production the first year and doubled the honey 
production the second year.

In short, when I see that the Russian bees excel in every way and especially 
that mite levels are comparable without chemicals to Italian bees treated 
each spring and fall I can not help wonder what is really wrong with this 
industry. Sure there is a problem with Russian bee crosses as there are with 
crosses of other races of bees. Why not use the pure Russians and enjoy all 
of the benefits.

I have used Russian bees since purchasing my first breeder queen in 2000. I 
no longer have the energy to fight the battles that you folks do. I would 
not keep bees if I experienced high winter losses and filled my hives with 
poisonous organic and inorganic chemicals. I am not a purest for I did use 
one Apiguard application last Fall. I would not have had heavy losses had I 
not treated at all for this I have evidence from years without treatment in 
the past.

I am going to now make a statement that will anger some and astound others. 
Why are we keeping a doomed race of bees alive artificially. Would it not be 
better to let them die and reserve only a small population for scientific 
purposes. Were it not for the use of mite susceptible bees kept alive 
artificially and consequently breeding super mites the keepers of mite 
resistant bees would never need to use any chemicals in their hives. A 
balance would be achieved between parasite and host.

Russian bees are not the perfect bee according to the wishes of every 
beekeeper. They are the very best bee available.

Those of you who would like a copy of Deleplane's power point presentation 
at Phoenix, Please send me a personal request.

Carl Webb

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