> It would be a GREAT stretch indeed, to think that theories or conclusions based on research 
performed with caterpillars are in any way transferable to honeybees.  Honeybees, being social insects 
have mechanisms to deal with virus that I would suppose caterpillars do not have. 

Hmm. Being winged insects with the same stages of metamorphosis, I would say they are quite similar. 
And what possible defense, other than eating and defecating the invisible microscopic particles, do honey 
bees have "against" viruses? 

I mean, we humans have better medical defenses than any other species, and we routinely fall prey to 
viruses. Viruses, being scraps of genetic material, are capable of evading almost all the defenses that 
organisms employ to control micro-organisms. 

It is precisely because they are so similar to other internal cell components that they are able to pass 
into the inner sanctum of organisms and into the DNA strands, thereby becoming an integral part of the 
host DNA! And there ain't nothing we can do about it!

pb

             ***********************************************
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