Jerry Bromenshenk's observations remind me of the time when colonies in the panhandle of Florida were decimated, presumably by tracheal mites...all you could see was a blanket of crawlers that couldn't fly...a tracheal mite vectored virus? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tom Sanford Extension Apiculturist University of Florida Mailing Address: Bldg 970, Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611-0620 Voice phone 904/392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX 904/392-0190 INTERNET: [log in to unmask] BITNET: MTS@IFASGNV +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++