>
> >Fact is, in some areas honey bees aggregate in huge numbers


Not as impressively, A. mellifera sometimes does the same in desert areas
where nesting cavities occur predominately in trees in arroyos.  Similarly,
in ag areas with few remaining old trees, many colonies can sometimes be
found in old wooden barns.

I'd hardly use this as evidence, however, that such crowding of A
mellifera, at least, is of benefit to them.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html