> Pete's observation re Africanized bees occupying cavities underground is
> of
> interest.  Both the Cape honeybee in Africa, and *Apis cerana* in Asia
> will
> nest below ground.  This habit may be an ancestral trait that the European
> honey bee tended to drop.

I have seen at least three A mellifera hives with an entrance at ground
level and the nest definitely below in one of those.  I have been called to
a couple of nests with the entrance in brick weep/air holes at ground level.

Geoff Manning

Australia

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