>I cast my vote against splitting up the list. My research brings me into >contact with hundreds of beekeepers and many researhers in academia and >state and federal laboratories. Often, the cross-pollination of ideas >and insights have lead to the break-throughs. A case in point is the >evidence for the affect of oils in the hive on the ability of tracheal >mites to locate new hosts. > >I for one have learned as much or more from the beekeepers as from the >"scientists". Two lists already exist for the more technical discussions >- Southwick's Social Insects and Entomol-L. The latter has over 500 >members and it can get a bit clumsy. > >As for "heavy" traffic on BEE-L, there have only been two times when it >really got going - the little fracus before Christmas by the electronic >vandals, and this discussion about making a new list. Otherwise, BEE-L >is quite, it could use a little more activity. Splitting off yet another >list may dilute it out of existence. > >Thanks for the forum. > >Jerry J. Bromenshenk >[log in to unmask] >(University of Montana) I agree with Jerry -- having worked for large scale commercial beekeepers and associated with amateurs, as well, it is refreshing to look in on the interchange. Many of the long-term beekeepers I have known possessed a wealth of valuable information. The converse is true -- when I pick up some valuable bit of information from the network, I can provide it to local beekeepers. With two separate lists, pressures of time constraints might pressure me to skip some potentially important messages. Adrian *************************************************************** * Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] * * Department of Biology Office Phone (805) 893-2838 * * University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2838 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-4724 * ***************************************************************