Peter said "Should be the same with bees. No need to sample the bees if
they aren't vicious. No need to sample them if they are. If your "European"
bees sting somebody due to negligence on your part, the DNA won't get you
off the hook. If my bees have African blood in them and they don't bother
anybody, so what."

Some years ago I reported an 'africanized-appearing' hive of bees that had
been attacking workers and nursery owners nearby, in upstate NY.  These had
come with a migratory beekeeper from Florida, and at the time it was a
modestly well kept secret that all migratory beekeepers were bringing back
such hives and just not talking about them.  My statement caused quite a
rukus on this list and I was called a rabble rouser, among other things.

Our brave NYS Inspection Service sprung into action and sent samples to
Maryland, where they were promptly confirmed as Africanized; the first
confirmed in NYS.  Of course, there were many elsewhere but among hives
belonging to buddies of Inspectors, all of which were (at the time)
commercial beekeepers and many of which were also migratory.

What was done...the hive was killed, and no further action.  The bright
lining of the cloud was that many hours of inspector time were involved.
Proving once again that the primary purpose of the NYS Inspection Service
was to provide employment and benefits to Inspectors and staff of NYS Ag.
and Markets.  Thankfully, budget considerations seems to have finally done
away with this particular beast.

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