I think it is quite clear that despite dire predictions, imported pollinators do not in fact negatively impact on the pollination web in general and rarely displace individual species. If the pollination web is of critical importance, then this fact must be acknowledged. I would certainly agree that the loss of any species is a tragic occurrence, like the loss of a human language. Unfortunately these are everyday occurrences, but nature is no respecter of individuals nor particular species. Species came and went before human activity prevailed, as we all know. The goal of maintaining global diversity seems worthy, and achievable. The quest to prevent the extinction of particular species may be futile and is certainly not based upon evolutionary trends. Furthermore, the pollination web seems to have evolved to be flexible, allowing radical temporal and geographic shifts. Reference: In spite of the high invasive potential and the spread of honeybees on all continents (except Antarctica) as wild or feral colonies, colonization sweeps in various ecosystems have only rarely been a problem for non-Apis species. Indeed, more direct studies of the impact of honeybees on native bee survival, fecundity, or population density have shown little evidence that the presence of honeybees has any impact on native bees. There are no reports that the introduction of honeybees caused the extinction of other bee pollinators which are the most likely competing group of organisms. Likewise, no experiment has clearly demonstrated long-term reductions in populations of native organisms. Honeybee introductions have had or still have negative effects only within the genus Apis. These negative effects have primarily been due to the transport of novel parasites and usually remain within the domain of apiculture. Global invasions of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the consequences for biodiversity. Robin Moritz, Stephan Härtel, Peter Neumann. Ecoscience, 12(3):289-301. 2005 - - - - - - - - - - - - - contributed by Peter Loring Borst 128 Lieb Road Spencer, NY 14883 607 280 4253 *********************************************** 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 Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm