>Well, yes, the likelihood that a "feral" swarm actually originated from a managed hive is fairly high. 

I would agree.

However,
I do not agree with assumptions
which suggest all these ferals
swarmed out of a hive in some 
farmland or from a migratory  
beekeeper trucking down the 
Pennsylvania turnpike, and deciding
to fly several miles to bivouac
on a basswood tree in downtown
Latrobe Pennsylvania. 

There has been no evidence to
suggest some ferals may not be
2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 5th 
generation.

I do realize that it is difficult for 
some to understand ferals 
can survive, when they may
be living in an area which has
difficulty keeping their own bees 
alive.

Best Wishes,
Joe Waggle

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