Hello Michael
   (You mentioned having seen bees with 2 or 3 lancets).
 
   I recall a brief article in one of the journals perhaps 10 years ago
   (sorry to be so vague) (perhaps Bee World, and was there some connection
   with Japan?).
   The article described a mutation that resulted in lancets separated from
   the stylet in worker A. mellifera and rendered the stingers
   non-functional. The separated lancets impaired rather than enhanced the
   insertion of the stylet, and prevented delivery of the venom.
 
   The normal condition of a stinger is a rigid base (bulb) which is
   elongated into a stiff shaft or stylet (U shaped in cross section) with
   the venom sac at the base, plus 2 barbed lancets with a sliding
   connection to the stylet (at the tips of the U) to form a tube. Imagine
   3 parallel fingers
   So, it's normal for a bee to have 2 lancets, but abnormal for the
   lancets to be "not connected" to the stylet.
 
   The article pointed out (or should have) that although the non-stinging
   trait might be selected to create a non-stinging bee, such a bee would
   be at a great disadvantage in trying to protect its nest.
 
 
   Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
   B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
   1201 103 Ave
   Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA          Tel (250) 784-2231     fax (250) 784-2299
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