> My question:: if a swarm of Afr/bees were to collect in the wheel well of
an airliner bound from central America to the US, could they survive in the 
wheel well at 40,000 ft.

If you ever watched a swarm of bees,,,
the main body will stay remarkably still. 
This to conserve energy while the scouts
search for sites.  

Humans have been known to survive
a trip in a jetliner wheel well, if they
were able to survive the cold temps.

IMO, the bees would die from starvation,
due to the need to burn energy reserves 
to generate heat, 

Best Wishes
Joe Waggle
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/

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