Phil Spitz wrote:
 
>FAQ BEES
>FLight Speed: 8 MPH LOADED
>8 LOADED
>15 MAX.
 
etc.
 
*****
 
   Sorry, but I suspect that estimate is too low.  See the following
reference:
 
  1963  Wenner, A.M.  The flight speed of honey bees:  A quantitative
approach.  JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH  2:25-32.
 
*****
 
   I found that loaded bees travel at an average speed of 6.5 meters per
second and that unloaded bees travelled at an average speed of 7.5 meters
per second.  I'll let you do your own conversion to miles per hour.  (Yes,
I think I know the answer, having majored in mathematics the first time
through college.)
 
                                                        Adrian
 
Adrian M. Wenner                         (805) 893-2838 (UCSB office)
Ecol., Evol., & Marine Biology           (805) 893-8062  (UCSB FAX)
Univ. of Calif., Santa Barbara           (805) 963-8508 (home office & FAX)
Santa Barbara, CA  93106
 
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