That lady wearing shorts in the beginning of the video, Elisha, is a true Master of insemination [II] of honeybees. She is the one who trained Richard in II technology. I am kind of surprised she is not introduced. Instrumental insemination of honey bees is very difficult and expensive. The equipment is $4K for starters and training is upwards of $800 a day. However, to breed a better bee, or breed a better anything, husbandry needs to be directed towards the betterment of the species. Betterment being defined by Man and not Nature.
There will always be ones who oppose intervention and wish nature as the guide. In the natural world nature is the best at husbandry. But who lives in a natural world now a days with our 3,000 pound angus bulls and insect free, weed free corn and soy with push of a button for comfort in our homes.
So in the grand scheme of life are those wishing to build a better bee now that our technology has introduced Varroa, virus, beetles etc to the bees and we try our hand at bee husbandry with the best of intentions.
I see two types of honeybees in the future: the natural bee that hides unseen in the forested selected by nature at her finest and our hybrid; select bees breed for our desires: Varroa resistance, honey production, low swarm tendencies, gentle. Yep, I instrumental inseminate queens hoping for the later and pray for the former. Honeybees are so dynamic, they will survive. Bee breeding is challenging and so much fun. Have I told you about Alpha, my precious 4.5 year old queen?
Thanks for the video, Phil.
Cheers