I have become interested in the possibility of wild colonies of bees continuing to exist in areas infested with varroa.

This may be due to some inbuilt tolerance of the bee, some peculiarity of the environment or a combination of both.

To further my investigations I have undertaken a private survey requesting, from as many sources as possible, for people to send me information of known wild colonies of bees past and present and the type of habitat they occupy i.e. hollow trees, cavity walls etc.

I would be pleased therefore if any of your readers would be kind enough to help me in this quest.

All information received will be treated in utmost confidence. As details accumulate I will let participants know the general pattern of the wild colony population regarding their numbers and the environment in which they live.

Ian Rumsey,

Morris Green Farm,

Morris Green,

Sible Hedingham,

Halstead,

Essex,

CO9 3LU.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.