Peter Borst wrote:

> Re: Feral colonies.
>
>         The term feral colonies is a mis-nomer. In countries where
> beekeeping is widespread, the only difference between bees in hives
> and bees in trees is just that: the former live in hives, the latter
> in trees.
>         Genetically, they are not different.

Suggest you read Howell Daly's paper on feral bees in California.
   - John Edwards, USDA-ARS, Tucson