>
>Allen Latham used to talk about 'control bees' that are responsible
>for decisions and strategies in a hive.  It is an interesting
>concept and explains many things that a strictly mechanical/chemical
>model does not.
>
>Problem:  No one has been able to identify any bees that can be
>proven to be control bees.
>
>Regards
>
>Allen
>
>W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
>RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
>Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
>Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>
>
 
 
I thought some Bee liners would be unhappy about bees being called "stupid".
Maybe a single bee does not have much brain power but I think it is
important to regard the whole colony as a single individual especially in
terms of brain power.  They clearly communicate by touching antennae and the
resulting network of inteconnecting neurones must be massive.   A huge
communal "brain"?
 
I once observed a swarm that (for teaching purposes) had been placed on a
tree with the queen caged.  After about an hour they "decided" to take off.
They flew across a field for about 500 yards but then came back.  An
impressive mid-flight and unanimous decision!
 
Regards
 
Glyn Davies, Ashburton, Devon UK