The virus work in the video cited by Prakel has been published here:
http://www.nature.com/ismej/journal/...j2015186a.html
Very interesting. The mechanism favoured by the authors seems to be direct exclusion of one (the virulent) form by the other (a non-virulent form) at the cellular level. However there could be other explanations based on population dynamics in this three-way relationship of bee-mite-virus.
Maybe I should wait until a *real* virologist comments?!
Good on Chris Packham for saving Ron's blushes by saying that his work is still valid. Keeping mite numbers down by these hygienic and grooming traits may be part of the story, perhaps allowing colonies to get by which then permits changes in viral populations.
I wonder whether the Scottish Ron is still maintaining non-treated colonies? Heard he'd been poorly.
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