Bill wrote:
> Bees did pretty well for themselves for millions of years before man caged 
> them. To think that their survival is dependent on a beekeeper is 
> presumptuous.

Agree with the first sentence, but beekeepers have selected for a very 
different bee from the one that survived so well.  If this is not true, tell 
me why there are so few feral colonies.

Yes, it is likely - almost certain - that some escaping swarms would survive 
and, given time, I suspect that bees would thrive once again (whether they 
would have the same perceived economic value could be debated); but in the 
short term, if all beekeepers stopped tending bees now then I am sure that 
very few colonies would survive.

Best wishes

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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