Ambrosia

[prakel]

Quite a few`times I have read people suggesting that feral bees will be a valuable source of varroa resistance

When these people stop treating their dogs for fleas and their children for head lice, they'll be worth listening to.

[fatshark]

In fact I think I read an article in a recent SBA magazine that in passing suggested that escaped swarms have a positive influence on bee health
Cant say that makes much sense to me

I suspect the 'positive benefit' is due to the swarm disappearing with 35% of the varroa load of the parent colony. Alternatively, the inevitable (at least partial) brood break that results from the swarm clearing off is also likely to benefit the parent colony.

Kate Thompson clearly showed that feral bees are a great source of high DWV levels ... about the same as seen in untreated 'managed' (and I use that in the loosest possible sense of the word) colonies. Luvverly.

Not.