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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Adrian Wenner <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 31 May 1997 15:55:58 -0700
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   We had a few messages posted recently on BEE-L about comb orientation in
hives.  Personally, I don't take much stock in such reports.  In our study
of almost 300 feral colonies on Santa Cruz Island, I saw no consistent
pattern of comb orientation with respect to geographic north (or to any
other direction).
 
   Neither did I see any need to gather data on the direction of comb
orientation.  If such a problem did exist, beekeepers long ago would have
learned to position their hives in one compass direction or another to
avoid any problem.  (I have great faith in the perceptive ability of
beekeepers.)
 
   I think beekeepers can also safely ignore the question of possible
"navigation" of bees between their colonies and food sources by means of
the Earth's magnetic field.  As we have published, the average distance
that bees forage from their colonies is normally only about half a mile
(depending on competition from other colonies) --- and then primarily
upwind.  The amount the Earth's magnetic field changes in that extremely
short distance is surely negligible.
 
   Yes, bees are wonderful.  But while trying to bring in a crop of honey,
employing a little skepticism about some extraordinary claims certainly
won't hurt.
 
   May you all have a good season!
 
                                                                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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*  "Discovery is to see what everyone else has seen,                  *
*         but to think what no one else has thought."                 *
*                                       ---    Albert Szent-Gyorgyi   *
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