>    To draw the analogy to wasps is adding to the confusion.  Perhaps on an
>    individual basis AHB and yellowjackets are comparable in some of their
>    behavior, but surely AHB feral colonies or managed AHB colonies pose a
>    genuine risk when in close proximity to human activity and habitation.
 
Of course the analogy only goes so far-- wasp colony size is often quite
small compared to managed hives (although AHB feral colonies can be of a
size comparable to a season's-end V. germanica nest).  One _can_ keep AHB
colonies (a few at least) outside the back door (seen plenty of beekeepers
who do-- although I always advised against it).
 
>think "we" (within the beekeeping fraternity)...
 
>    (For those who saw it, it was remarkable that among some of the accurate
>    information, bees were prescribed the male gender.  It floored me that
>    producers who obviously put in a great deal of effort and money allowed some
>    bozo to describe a killer bee as a 'mean bug leaving HIS stinger behind!).
 
Likewise, there's plenty of womenfolk in the "personernity" of
beekeepers ;-)  Oops, I just got my cut off warning.  I'll get back to you
later, Paul.
 
I agree that we must continue to educate the public-- maybe the first
thing to do would be to wean ourselves from the term "killer bee".
Nontheless, I stand by my original statement that the issue is basically a
beekeeping issue.
 
 
        -              Conrad Berube
       "  `            ISLAND CROP MANAGEMENT
       "   `           1326 Franklin Terrace
   _- -_`-_|'\  /`     Victoria, B.C.
 _/ / / -' `~()()      V8S 1C7
  \_\ _ /\-._/\/       (604)480-0223; fax (604)656-8922
       /   | |         email: [log in to unmask]
      '`   ^ ^