"W. Allen Dick" wrote: > ...... but I do seem to > recall that the feral bees in many areas of North America (and Hawaii as > well) were known to be smaller and meaner than the bees that were > introduced as the century progressed. > > Maybe someone else has researched this or recalls from reading? Somebody's theory - sorry I forgot the name - Russian ?? - from the early 1900s maintains that many insects within a species naturally vary in regard to the latitude where they are found (and adapted). This fits the size and shape of the AHB from tropical Africa, as I remember. He is usually quoted in relation to body size, wing length, and leg length. I will ask around here tomorrow - I'm sure Hayward Spangler knows the reference. ----------------------------------------------------------- John F. Edwards Carl Hayden Bee Research Center Agricultural Research Service - USDA Tucson, Arizona 85719 http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/home/edwards/edwards.html