Mea asks "So how do bees show preference for,
say, sisters over half-sisters?  I would be interested in references to
studies of this behavior in bees."

One of the most under-appreciated books concerning honeybees is Wisdom of
the Hive, by Thomas Seeley PhD, and Professor at Cornell University.  It
clearly outlines the nepotism issue, as well as the experiments that have
documented the phenomena, and speculates as to the reasons that this
behavior developed.

Available everywhere, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.


Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacturers of Ross Rounds Comb
Honey Equipment, Sundance Pollen Traps
and Custom Printer of Sundance Labels.

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