> A. m. iberiensis in southern Spain carries African mtDNA. > What are the characteristics of this strain of bee? Would it interbreed with the AHB strains that are migrating into the U.S.? What would the effects be on the behavior of such interbreeding? Do we dare import more strains into the U.S. in an effort to mitigate the effects of the AHB? * It is currently illegal to import bees from outside the USA, due to the fact that there are still more honey bee pests that *you do not want*. As far as the effects of interbreeding between the African strain that is invading and any local stocks: Local bees don't stand a chance, due to the many issues described in the various studies. * The only defense, in my opinion, is good beekeeping. Requeen with marked queens of non-African stock, kill mean hives, & kill feral hives. Wild bees in the woods have always been a reservoir for disease, and now they are a potential reservoir for African genes. It all depends on the diligence of the beekeeper. * Beekeepers that are good about requeening will stay on top of it. Those that routinely allow supersedure will have a harder time maintaining a specific type of bee. I am not saying anything negative about supersedure per se, nor about developing local stock in that way. It's just that if you have Africans in your area, *they* are the local stock, and you become part of that. * By the way, iberiensis is not the one you would want. The best strains of honey bees were identified years ago, carnica being at the top of most lists. All these bees were brought to the US before the import ban. We have good stocks available in this country, even if they are not really the same as the original European stock. (B. Weaver has taken to calling one of their lines "All-American") pb -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---