Chewing vs. Stinging

[Aspera]

I have noticed that many different species of bee bite or chew rather than sting, and that this is considered a varient of defensive behavior. This defensive behavior is the only one with a plausible link to hygienic traits and varroa resistance found in genetically distant strains of honeybee such as ARS Russians, AHB, and SMR-VSH. Has anyone else observed the link between aggression-chewing-varroa resistance?

Halleck Wrigley V.M.D.

[hummingberd]

I know nothing about this but am curious about what it feels like?

[Michael Bush]

The Russians do seem to pull hair and head butt more. I haven't noticed that with the MN hygienics though.