Cornell has published this report which just came to my attention: 
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2011/10/native-bees-are-better-pollinators-honeybees

I am an advocate for native bees, as well as honey bees, but I sure don't 
like to see this hype. They should know better.

This is not a legitimate comparison - between native bees and poorly managed 
honey bees. Any pollination contractor who puts out honey bees will manage 
his bees to push them to pollen collection by maximizing open brood. If they 
are only seeking nectar in the flowers, the contractor has not done his job.

When I did apple pollination, I worked hard to achieve foragers that would 
"doggie paddle" though the stamens.


Dave Green
Retired

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